Extrusion foamability of the modified biopolymer polylactide (PLA)

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Foams are characterized by very low density, very low thermal conductivity, high sound attenuation and low tooling costs. Most of the foamed mouldings are for relatively short-lived transport packaging, e.g. for electronic equipment and insulation applications. Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable and at the same time, a biobased polymer which is produced in commercially significant amounts from the inexpensive lactic acid. To provide an additional disposal option for packaging made of foam / or to save fossil hydrocarbon sources, it is desirable to prepare polymeric foams on the basis of PLA which is available in large quantities. But due to its low melt strength, foaming of PLA is currently not possible. This research project aims to develop new and cost-effective ways to modify PLA, leading to an increased melt strength and therefore to enable the extrusion foamability of PLA.