Morphological Behavior of PLA Foam from Twin-screw Extruder Foaming

초록

The critical aspect poses challenges in the processing of biodegradable materials, as the narrow temperature range necessitates precise control to avoid degradation during processing. The aim of this work was to analyze the foamability of a biodegradable polymer, the poly(lactic acid), PLA. Achieving suitable processing conditions is essential to maintain the integrity and properties of biodegradable polymers while ensuring efficient processing. The PLA foams were carried out via twin-screw extruder process with an introduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) as environmentally friendly blowing agent. The process involves the use of CO2 gas under elevated pressure and temperature conditions to induce cellular structure formation in the extruder. The effect of processing parameters and blowing agent on morphology of foamed were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which results showed closed-cell structure. Additionally, advancements in processing technologies and their impact on enhancing the processability and performance of biodegradable polymers are highlighted. Based on this study, the excellent cellular and overall performance of PLA foams are promoted for various applications.