Polylactic acid-based resin expanded beads and molded article thereof

Abstract

Polylactic acid-based resin expanded beads of the present invention are obtained by releasing a softened, pressurized foamable resin composition, which comprises a polylactic acid-based resin and a physical blowing agent, to a low pressure atmosphere to foam and expand the resin composition, wherein the polylactic acid-based resin satisfies the conditions (1) to (3) shown below, and exhibits excellent secondary expansion properties and fusion bonding properties. A polylactic acid-based resin expanded beads molded article obtained by in-mold molding of the polylactic acid-based resin expanded beads exhibits excellent mechanical properties. MT≦30 mN  (1) log MT≦0.93 log η−1.75  (2) CT1/2≧600 sec  (3) where MT represents a melt tension [mN] at 190° C., η represents a melt viscosity [Pa·s] at 190° C. and a shear speed of 20 sec−1, and CT1/2 represents a half crystallization time [sec] at 110° C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.