Toward durable polylactic acid/poly(methyl methacrylate) polyblend fibers with high performance.

Polylactic acid/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLA/PMMA) composite fibers with high performance were fabricated using melt spinning technique. The crystallization, lamellae orientation and physical properties of composite fibers were investigated systematically. The addition of PMMA (0–20 wt%) has improved the hydrolysis resistance of composite fibers by preventing water molecules from penetrating and diffusing through the fibers, but the strength and heat resistance were reduced at the same time. The stereocomplex crystallites (SC) formed before spinning by introducing poly(D‐lactide) (PDLA) (3 wt%) in poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) matrix and acted as nucleating agents to enhanced the crystallization and lamellae orientation of PLLA matrix, which improved the physical properties of PLA composite fibers resultful. The tensile strength of PLA fibers with 3 wt% PDLA and 5 wt% PMMA was increased 31% as well as the boiling water shrinkage and the hydrolysis rate were decreased 30% and 33% in relation to PLLA fibers. Finally, the hydrolysis resistance was further enhanced on the basis of realizing high strength and heat resistance, which is of great significance for preparing durable PLA fiber materials and expanding their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]