Characterization of poly(lactic acid) foams prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

The foams of a poly(lactic acid) modified by the reactive compounding were produced with the batch foaming technique using supercritical CO2. Experiments were performed at 105∼135 °C and 12∼24 MPa. The blowing ratio and foam structure were significantly affected by changing the temperature and pressure conditions in the foaming process. The blowing ratio first increased with increasing foaming temperature and saturation pressure, reached a maximum and then decreased with a further increase in the foaming temperature and saturation pressure. Decreasing the rate of depressurization permitted a longer period of cell growth and therefore larger microcellular structures were obtained.