Abstract
In the present study, degradation properties of the polymer blends of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(butylene succinate) (PBSU) with different mixed fractions were investigated. PLA/PBSU(50/50) exhibited the highest water absorption during hydrolysis tests because water absorption was accelerated due to the existence of interface between PLA and PBSU, crystal and amorphous. Tensile tests were performed on the polymer blends after 0, 8 16 and 24 weeks hydrolysis tests to evaluate the variation in tensile strength and Young's modulus. Tensile strength of PLA/PBSU (100/0, 80/20, 50/50 and 20/80) were sensitive to hydrolytic degradation. The variation in molecular weight and existence of induction time for decreasing strength indicated that massive degradation occurred during hydrolysis tests. Analysis based on the auto-catalysis effect of end carboxyl group can fit the molecular weight variation for pure PLA and PBSU.
