Influence of Heavy Metal Powders on Rheological Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)

Abstract

Main properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and composite materials on its basis filled with tungsten and lead powders are investigated. An anomalous decrease of the viscosity of melts of poly(lactic acid)/tungsten and poly(lactic acid)/lead composites is detected. The methods of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and IR spectroscopy are used for investigation. It is shown that the temperature at which the composites filled with tungsten and lead begin to melt decreases by more than 8 and 3°С in comparison with neat PLA. Our investigations show impossibility of preparing radiation resistant polymer composites based on PLA filled with tungsten and lead powders.