The mechanical properties of biodegradable modified polymer packaging

Abstract

In this research, a lactic acid-based biodegradable polymer (polylactic acid, PLA) was chemically modified and the mechanical material property changes were studied. The hardness and elastic modulus were determined with a nanoindentation instrument. The modified PLA was compared to the unmodified control group. Each group contained 5 different samples and t-test was performed to compare the mean difference of the hardness and elastic modulus between the two groups. A statistically significant result was obtained both in the hardness and elastic modulus due to the modification. The treated sample structure has become more inhomogeneous as well. The elastic modulus of the modified PLA reduced in its hardness and elastic modulus compared to the control PLA.