Polylactide and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PLA/PBSA) were melt-blended in the presence of triphenyl phosphite (TPP). An increase in the torque during melt mixing was used to monitor the changes in viscosity as compatibilization of the blends occurred. Scanning electron micrographs showed not only a reduction in the dispersed-phase size with increased TPP content but also fibrillated links between the PLA and PBSA phases, signifying compatibilization. Moreover, optimization of parameters such as the mixing sequence and time, TPP content, and PBSA concentration revealed that blends containing 30 and 10 wt % PBSA and 2 wt % TPP, which were processed for 30 min, were optimal in terms of thermomechanical properties. The impact strength increased from 6 kJ/m(2) for PLA to 11 and 16 kJ/m(2) for blends containing 30 and 10 wt % PBSA, respectively, whereas the elongation-at-break increased from 6% for PLA to 20 and 37% for blends containing 30 and 10 wt % PBSA, respectively. Upon compatibilization, the failure mode shifted from the brittle fracture of PLA to ductile deformation, effected by the debonding between the two phases. With improved phase adhesion, compatibilized blends not only were toughened but also did not significantly lose tensile strength and thermal stability.

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Binary blends of two biodegradable polymers: polylactide (PLA), which has high modulus and strength but is brittle, and poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] (PBSA), which is flexible and tough, were prepared through batch melt mixing. The PLA/PBSA compositions were 100/0, 90/10, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, 10/90, and 0/100. Fourier-transform infrared measurements revealed the absence of any chemical interaction between the two polymers, resulting in a phase-separated morphology as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM micrographs showed that PLA-rich blends had smaller droplet sizes when compared to the PBSA-rich blends, which got smaller with the reduction in PBSA content due to the differences in their melt viscosities. The interfacial area of PBSA droplets per unit volume of the blend reached a maximum in the 70PLA/30PBSA blend. Thermal stability and mechanical properties were not only affected by the composition of the blend, but also by the interfacial area between the two polymers. Through differential scanning calorimetry, it was shown that molten PBSA enhanced crystallization of PLA while the stiff PLA hindered cold crystallization of PBSA. Optimal synergies of properties between the two polymers were found in the 70PLA/30PBSA blend because of the maximum specific interfacial area of the PBSA droplets.