On the essential work of fracture of polylactic acid/thermoplastic polyurethane/halloysite

Abstract

The goal of this work is to investigate the mechanical and fracture characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/halloysite (HNT). HNT with three levels (0, 3, and 6 wt.%) and TPU with three levels (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) were used as variables. The investigation of tensile properties revealed contrasting effects of TPU and HNT levels. Increasing TPU content to 30 wt.% led to a decrease in strength and modulus by 36% and 42% in turn, however resulted in a remarkable 338% improvement in elongation at break. Conversely, the addition of 3 wt.% HNT enhanced both tensile strength and modulus, although it caused a reduction in elongation at break. The results concerning fracture properties showed by incorporating TPU up to 30 wt.% EWF ( w e) and non-EWF ( βw p) rose by 459% and 178%, respectively. Additionally, the inclusion of 3 wt.% HNT further elevated the EWF compared to the compound containing 10 wt.% TPU without HNT. Through optimization, the compound with 10 wt.% TPU and 3 wt.% HNT was shown to have the optimum strength, stiffness, and toughness balance.