Binary and ternary poly(lactic acid) poly(ε-caprolactone) blends:: The effects of oligo-ε-caprolactones upon mechanical properties

Oligo-epsilon-caprolactones(o-CL) have been utilized as principle secondary components within poly(lactic acid)[PLA]-based blends as well as additives within larger-sized PCL/PLA blends in an effort to fully complement the mechanical attributes of the respective polyesters. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis(DMTA) shows that the presence of o-CL plasticizes the PLA non-crystalline phase with a more pronounced effect seen as the size of o-CL is reduced. Moreover, it appears that the size of o-CL could also affect the static mechanical properties of the ternary systems as material stiffness and strength reside between those properties measured for high molecular weight PCL/PLA binary blends and the PLA homopolyester. Future work will examine the ability of these blends to sustain these properties during hydrolytic exposure.