Toughening of polylactide with epoxy-functionalized methyl methacrylate–butyl acrylate copolymer

Glycidyl methacrylate-functionalized methyl methacrylate–butyl acrylate (GACR) core–shell structure copolymers were synthesized to toughen polylactide (PLA). With an increase in GACR content, the PLA/GACR blends showed decreased tensile strength and modulus; however, the elongation at break and the impact strength were significantly increased compared with that of PLA. The brittle fracture of neat PLA was gradually transformed into ductile fracture by the addiction of GACR. From dynamic mechanical analysis, the rigidity of the PLA/GACR blends was decreased with the increase of GACR content. The addition of GACR decreased the degree of crystallinity of PLA. The GACR was found to aggregate to form clusters with size increasing with increasing GACR content by transmission electron microscope analysis. The clusters dispersed in PLA matrix uniformly. It was found that PLA demonstrated large area, plastic deformation (shear yielding) and cavities in the blend upon being subjected the tensile and impact tests, which was an important energy-dissipation process and led to a toughened and transparent blend.