Processing and characterization of PLA/PBAT blends for toughened rigid and flexible items

The thesis purpose is to characterize PLA/PBAT blends properties and study if they are materials feasible for toughened rigid and flexible items. More specifically this work evaluates how PLA fracture behavior, connected with mechanical, rheological and morphological properties (in different conditions of stress, temperatures, speed tests) is influenced by the adding of an high molecular weight PBAT used as rubber toughening agent. The work, devoted to materials science and engineering, has therefore allowed a systematic study from lab-scale to a processing scale-up oriented to improve the knowledge and favor the use on a large scale of blends based on toughened PLA, trying to find also solutions for industrial applications.