Pinpoint Loading Examinations of Poly(lactic acid) Biopolymers

Abstract

We have made a new mounting unit for Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) equipment, suitable for measuring microhardness and indentation, and examined its usability on thermoplastic poly(lactic acid) (PLA) material. We used a Vickers-type microhardness indenter, and examined the dimensions of the indented area and the loading force. This novel unit is suitable for measuring the short and long-term behavior of the material using pinpoint load not only at room temperature (20-23 °C) – like common hardness tests – but at a wide range of temperatures.

Promising Role of Polylactic Acid as an Ingenious Biomaterial in Scaffolds, Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, and Medical Implants: Research Developments, and Prospective Applications

“…It was first discovered in the 1920s by Wallace Carothers and commercialized in the 1990s at a larger scale owing to its better physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. Today, it has made a decent place in various food processing, textile, agriculture, and cosmetic sectors [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Apart from these sectors, its presence can also be felt in mechanically driven plastic equipment used on daily basis.…”

Mechanical, Morphological and Thermal Characterization of Compatibilized Poly(lactic acid)/Thermoplastic Starch Blends

“…PLA is a semi-crystalline biodegradable polyester that can be made from renewable resources [7]. Due to its outstanding strength, stiffness, biocompatibility and transparency it is widely used for medical, agricultural and packaging applications [8]. In the meanwhile, PLA has relatively high production costs, it is brittle and presents limited gas barrier properties.…”