Preparation of Knitting Socks from Poly (Lactic Acid) and Poly [(R)-3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-Hydroxyvalerate] (PHBV) Blends for Textile Industrials

The PLA/PHBV blends were prepared using dry blend in the melt spinning method. The ratios of PLA:PHBV were varied with 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20 wt%. The temperature of single screw extruder was set at 210 to 235 °C with screw speed 9 rpm and free fall at draw speed 450, 500 and 550 m/min. The textile fibers were subjected to thermal, morphology and mechanical property evaluation. The results show that the addition of PHBV was compatible with PLA in the textile fibers and increased the flexibility of the blends. The ratios of PLA/PHBV at 95/5 and 90/10 was used for the preparation of knitting socks. The Sonic velocity and Tenacity of the fiber was found to be 2.37% and 0.93 CN/den, respectively.