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Effect of melt viscosity on the cell morphology and properties of poly(lactic acid) foams

A compression molding foaming technique was used to prepare polylactic acid foams with a chemical foaming agent. The effect of melt viscosity of the polylactic acid on its cell morphology, apparent density, void fraction, cell population density, cell diameter, mechanical properties, and thermal property were studied. The apparent density of the foamed polylactic acid first decreased with decreasing melt viscosity and then increased, whereas the void fraction showed an opposite trend. A lower melt viscosity resulted in smaller cells, a more uniform cell size distribution, and a higher cell population density until the viscosity could not support further cell expansion which subsequently could cause gas escape and cell collapse. The tensile strength of the foams first increased with decreasing melt viscosity and then decreased. Their impact strength and flexural strength were improved by decreasing the melt viscosity. The use of glycidyl methacrylate only showed a small influence on the thermal stability of foamed polylactic acid.