A Continuous Foaming Process of Low-Density PLA by Supercritical CO2 Assisted Extrusion

Swann Gay (1) , Martial Sauceau (2) , Élisabeth Rodier (2) , Jacques Fages (2)

1 MINT - Micro et Nanomédecines Translationnelles
2 RAPSODEE - Centre de recherche d'Albi en génie des procédés des solides divisés, de l'énergie et de l'environnement

Polylactic acid (PLA) represents probably one the most viable environmentally-sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based plastics. This paper reports the continuous processing of PLA foams with CO 2 as the blowing agent. Different operating conditions were tested for a commercial linear PLA and the obtained foams were characterized on the basis of porosity and thermal properties. Finally, foams with expansion ratio up to 95% were obtained. The importance of the operating temperatures was emphasized, what requires the use of high CO 2 fractions. Higher crystalline contents than the raw material can be obtained, this content being linked to the process conditions and thus to the porosity.

Domaines: Génie des procédés; Polymères

Swann Gay, Martial Sauceau, Élisabeth Rodier, Jacques Fages. A Continuous Foaming Process of Low-Density PLA by Supercritical CO2 Assisted Extrusion. 14th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids – EMSF 2014, International Society for the Advancement of Superritical Fluids - ISASF, May 2014, MARSEILLE, France. 6 p. ⟨hal-01729581⟩