Process-Structure-Property Relationships of PLA and PLA-Blends in Nonwovens
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| Publicado en: | ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (2025) |
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| Acceso en línea: | Citation/Abstract Full Text - PDF |
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| Resumen: | Majority of the polymers dominating the nonwovens industry are derived from petroleum based sources (i.e., PP, PE, PET). However, interest in following initiatives set by governments and organizations such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the Kyoto Protocol have further increased the shift towards sustainability. A polymer of interest that can act as an alternative material is polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is derived from renewable resources and is commercially available while also exhibiting degradability, low energy consumption, and low CO2 emissions. Currently, PLA is available at comparable and competitive prices to that of petroleum-based polymers. Yet, despite all its benefits, some drawbacks of PLA exist, including brittleness, low elongation strain at break, and limited thermal stability because the heat deflection temperature (HDT) is low. Therefore, while it is important to find alternative materials to reduce reliance on non-renewable materials, we still need to improve on the limitations regarding viability, value, and properties that biobased polymers present. Despite its widespread use, PLA has not been actively used for nonwovens. PLA has, however, been extensively studied in melt-spun fiber applications. Blending PLA with polybutylene succinate (PBS) and poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA), the stereoisomer of PLA, can improve the crystallinity, shrinkage, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of melt-spun fibers. Blending PLA with PBS and PDLA not only improves certain properties but also keeps the biobased and biodegradable component of PLA intact, which is important for sustainable purposes. Therefore, by taking the conclusions from research focused on melt-spun fibers, which are the precursor to nonwovens, through small- and pilot-scale spunbond and meltblown investigations, this research aims to further expand the understanding of using PLA and its blends. |
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| ISBN: | 9798297619517 |
| Fuente: | ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global |