Heat resistant polylactic acid compounds

Abstract

A significant disadvantage of the use of polylactic acid (PLA) has been overcome by the use of styrene maleic anhydride copolymer (SMAC) to cause an unexpected increase in the heat deflection temperature of the PLA compound, surpassing a delta improvement of 5° C. over the heat deflection temperature of the PLA alone, at 66 psi as measured using ASTM D648 when the blended compound is essentially dried prior to use. The compound also often exceeds a threshold of 65° C. in heat deflection temperature. Use of a compatibilizer and impact modifier further improves the industrial versatility of the heat resistant PLA compound. Alternatively, use of calcium carbonate in the heat resistant PLA compound also is industrially valuable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.