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Polylactic Acid

PLA Biopolymer Technology and Applications

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is the first viable thermoplastic that can be produced from a plant-based feedstock such as corn or sugar cane, and yet be processed by the conventional melt… Read more

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Description

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is the first viable thermoplastic that can be produced from a plant-based feedstock such as corn or sugar cane, and yet be processed by the conventional melt processing technologies. At the same time, Polylactic Acid is produced at the largest industrial scale of all biodegradable polymers. It is being used in biomedical applications, for bottle production and in compostable food packaging. It is also being evaluated as a material for tissue engineering. Mass production has tremendously reduced the cost of PLA production, making it an economically viable choice for fabrication of domestic containers, plastic bags, and fibers. Commercial-scale plants today produce hundreds of thousand tons of PLA per year.This book provides a practical guide for the engineers and scientists involved in working with PLA and developing the many new products that are emerging for this important biopolymer. The current market situation for PLA and biodegradable polymers is described as well as applications across a range of market sectors, and the mechanical, chemical, thermal, rheology, and degradation properties of PLA.

Key features

  • An essential reference for engineers, scientists and product designers considering switching to a sustainable plastic
  • Covers the properties, synthesis and polymerization of PLA, and processing techniques involved in fabricating parts from this polymer

Readership

Institutions of higher education, biodegradable companies and research institutes, government institutions involved in reduction of plastic waste, environment organisations; Institutions of readership: ICheme, IUPAC, IMechE, Society of Plastic Engineers

Table of contents

1. Overview of Poly(lactic Acid)1.1 Background to Biodegradable Polymers1.2 Market Potential of Biodegradable Polymers and PLA1.3 General Properties and Applications of PLA1.4 Environmental Profile of PLA1.5 Ecoprofile of PLA in Mass Production1.6 Environmental Impact of PLA at the Post-Consumer Stage1.7 ConclusionReferences

2. Synthesis and Production of Poly(lactic Acid)2.1 Introduction2.2 Lactic Acid Production2.3 Lactide and Poly(lactic Acid) Production2.4 ConclusionReferences

3. Thermal Properties of Poly(lactic Acid)3.1 Introduction3.2 Thermal Transition and Crystallization of PLA3.3 Thermal Decomposition3.4 Heat Capacity, Thermal Conductivity and Pressure–Volume–Temperature of PLA3.5 ConclusionReferences

4. Chemical Properties of Poly(lactic Acid)4.1 Introduction4.2 Stereochemistry of Poly(lactic Acid)4.3 Analytical Technique of PLA4.4 Solubility and Barrier Properties of PLA4.5 ConclusionReferences

5. Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic Acid)5.1 Introduction5.2 Effect of Crystallinity and Molecular Weight on Mechanical Properties of PLA5.3 Effect of Modifier/Plasticizer on PLA5.4 Polymer Blends of PLA5.5 ConclusionReferences

6. Rheological Properties of Poly(lactic Acid)6.1 Introduction6.2 Rheological Properties of Poly(lactic Acid)6.3 Effects of Molecular Weight6.4 Effects of Branching6.5 Extensional Viscosity6.6 Solution Viscosity of PLA6.7 Rheological Properties of Polymer Blends6.8 ConclusionReferences

7. Degradation and Stability of Poly(lactic Acid)7.1 Introduction7.2 Factors Affecting PLA Degradation7.3 Hydrolytic and Enzymatic Degradation of PLA7.4 Environmental Degradation of PLA7.5 Thermal Degradation of PLA7.6 Flame Resistance of PLA7.7 ConclusionReferences

8. Applications of Poly(lactic Acid)8.1 Introduction8.2 Poly(lactic Acid) for Domestic Applications8.3 Poly(lactic Acid) for Engineering and Agricultural Applications8.4 Poly(lactic Acid) for Biomedical Applications8.5 ConclusionReferences

Index

Product details

About the author

LS

Lee Tin Sin

Lee Tin Sin is a researcher, professional engineer and associate professor. He graduated with Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical-Polymer) First Class Honours and Ph.D in Polymer Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Dr. Lee has been involved in rubber processing, biopolymer, nanocomposite and polymer synthesis with numerous publications of journal papers, book chapters and conferences. He was the recipient of the Society of Chemical Engineers Japan Award for Outstanding Asian Researcher and Engineer 2018 for his contribution on polymer research. He was also conferred Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) by the Sultan of Selangor State, Malaysia in year 2019. He co-authored ‘Polylactic Acid’ (Elsevier), the First and Second Editions which were published in 2012 and 2019, respectively. In 2023, he co-authored ‘Plastics and Sustainability’, also published by Elsevier.

Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia

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