Content area

Abstract

Majority of the polymers dominating the nonwovens industry are derived from petroleum based sources (i.e., PP, PE, PET). However, interest in following initiatives set by governments and organizations such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the Kyoto Protocol have further increased the shift towards sustainability. A polymer of interest that can act as an alternative material is polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is derived from renewable resources and is commercially available while also exhibiting degradability, low energy consumption, and low CO2 emissions. Currently, PLA is available at comparable and competitive prices to that of petroleum-based polymers. Yet, despite all its benefits, some drawbacks of PLA exist, including brittleness, low elongation strain at break, and limited thermal stability because the heat deflection temperature (HDT) is low. Therefore, while it is important to find alternative materials to reduce reliance on non-renewable materials, we still need to improve on the limitations regarding viability, value, and properties that biobased polymers present. Despite its widespread use, PLA has not been actively used for nonwovens. PLA has, however, been extensively studied in melt-spun fiber applications. Blending PLA with polybutylene succinate (PBS) and poly-D-lactic acid (PDLA), the stereoisomer of PLA, can improve the crystallinity, shrinkage, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of melt-spun fibers. Blending PLA with PBS and PDLA not only improves certain properties but also keeps the biobased and biodegradable component of PLA intact, which is important for sustainable purposes. Therefore, by taking the conclusions from research focused on melt-spun fibers, which are the precursor to nonwovens, through small- and pilot-scale spunbond and meltblown investigations, this research aims to further expand the understanding of using PLA and its blends.

Details

1010268
Business indexing term
Title
Process-Structure-Property Relationships of PLA and PLA-Blends in Nonwovens
Number of pages
229
Publication year
2025
Degree date
2025
School code
0155
Source
DAI-B 87/4(E), Dissertation Abstracts International
ISBN
9798297619517
University/institution
North Carolina State University
University location
United States -- North Carolina
Degree
Ph.D.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
32331469
ProQuest document ID
3264237164
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/process-structure-property-relationships-pla/docview/3264237164/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Database
ProQuest One Academic