Melt flow behavior in capillary extrusion of nanosized calcium carbonate-filled poly(L -lactic acid) biocomposites

Ji Zhao Liang, Chak Yin Tang, Lin Zhou, Chi Pong Tsui, Feng Jiao Li

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nanosized calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO3)-filled poly-L-lactide (PLLA) biocomposites were compounded by using a twin-screw extruder. The melt flow behavior of the composites, including their entry pressure drop, melt shear flow curves, and melt shear viscosity were measured through a capillary rheometer operated at a temperature range of 170-200°C and shear rates of 50-103s-1. The entry pressure drop showed a nonlinear increase with increasing shear stress and reached a minimum for the filler weight fraction of 2% owing to the "bearing effect" of the nanometer particles in the polymer matrix melt. The melt shear flow roughly followed the power law, while the effect of temperature on the melt shear viscosity was estimated by using the Arrhenius equation. Hence, adding a small amount of nano-CaCO3into the PLLA could improve the melt flow behavior of the composite. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1839-1844, 2012.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1839-1844
Number of pages6
JournalPolymer Engineering and Science
Volume52
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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