Material behaviourThe role of shear and stabilizer on PLA degradation

The role of temperature, shear and oxygen on PLA degradation was investigated. Thermo-mechanical degradation induces a larger decrease in PLA molecular weight than thermo-oxidative degradation. This was associated with different degradation processes (mainly chain scission) that took place under the two conditions. Given the PLA robustness to endure reprocessing, it was possible to conclude that the primary and secondary antioxidant (B900) had a synergetic effect on PLA stability.