Melt density and flow property of PDLLA/nano-CaCO3 bio-composites

The nanometer calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO3) filled Poly-dl-lactide (PDLLA) bio-composites were prepared with a twin-screw extruder. The melt volume flow rates (MVRs) and melt densities of the composites were measured by means of a melt flow rate instrument under experimental conditions at a temperature range from 180 to 230 °C and a load range varying from 2.16 to 10 kg. The result showed that the MVRs of the composites increased nonlinearly with a rise in temperature and an increase of load, but decreased linearly with increasing the filler weight fraction. The melt densities of the composites decreased nonlinearly with a rise of temperature, but increased nonlinearly with increasing the load and increased linearly with an addition of the filler weight fraction.