Distinctive Tensile Properties of the Blends of Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)

The blends of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were prepared by melt mixing in a Brabender mixer, and the structures and properties of the binary blends were characterized. It was found that the tensile properties were higher than the anticipated values on the basis of the mixing rule. Notably, a synergistic effect was discovered at 80 wt% PBS where the blend was toughened and strengthened simultaneously. It is believed that the distinctive tensile properties were achieved by the effect of rigid PLLA fillers, and blending brittle PLLA in the ductile PBS matrix gave the composite material enhanced toughness and strength. Scanning micrographs and differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed consistent results.