Search results for "Hygrothermal ageing"

Hygrothermal ageing of reprocessed polylactide

2012

[EN] The influence of an accelerated hygrothermal ageing simulation test on a commercial PLA and its three subsequent mechanically-reprocessed materials was studied. The analysis was focused on the water diffusion kinetics and the physico-chemical changes induced by the hygrothermal degradation. Water diffusion proceeded faster than chain relaxation processes, as defined by a Case II absorption model. It was proved that the water diffusion rate decreased with subsequent reprocessing cycles and increased with higher hygrothermal ageing temperatures. Hydrolytic chain scission provoked significant molar mass decays and consequent general losses of thermal and mechanical performance. The rearra…