Ageing of polylactide and polylactide nanocomposite filaments

An experimental study was carried out in order to check the influence of various parameters on the ageing of PLA filaments performed in a climatic room. Initially, two grades of PLA with different d-isomer contents were analysed. Even after several weeks of ageing, properties of PLA filaments with less than 0.5% d-isomer content did not vary extensively. On the other hand, the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA filaments with 4% d-isomer content underwent strong modifications. Subsequently, a selected organomodified bentonite (Bentone®104 - noted as B104) was blended with PLA and then melt-spun to study the influence of a nanofiller on the ageing of PLA filaments. Faster degradation of PLA nanocomposite filaments was then observed.