Effect of mixing conditions on mechanical properties of polylactide/montmorillonite clay nanocomposites

Biopolymer nanocomposites are of great interest to the packaging industry as they can overcome the inferior properties of biopolymers compared with synthetic polymers. However, studies on property improvement have been inconclusive about optimum filler levels and mixing conditions. This article reports on a systematic study of effect on mechanical properties of varying melt mixing conditions and filler level in PLA organoclay composites. Samples were mixed in a batch mixer at various temperatures, times, and speeds, at three filler levels. Tensile properties were measured and morphology characterized using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).