Preparation of polymer blends fiber between poly (lactic acid) and poly (butylene succinate) for textile applications

Abstract

Biodegradable polymer blend fibers were prepared by melt spinning technique. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were blended in a twin screw extruder at various contents of PBS at 0-50 wt%. PLA/PBS blends were melt spun using a single screw extruder equipped with multifilaments spinnerette. The effect of PBS contents on morphology, thermal properties, and mechanical performance of PLA/PBS blend fiber was investigated. SEM micrographs indicated that the addition of PBS at 10 wt% showed miscibility of PLA/PBS blends while the other contents of PBS exhibited phase separation of the blends. The incorporation of PBS affected on the declination of crystallinity in the blends. It can be noted that the addition of PBS could enhance the elasticity of PLA/PBS blend fibers.