Study on Shape Memory Behavior of Ternary Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-grafted Natural Rubber/Natural Rubber Thermoplastic Vulcanizates

Abstract

ABSTRACT Here, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (NR-PMMA)/natural rubber (NR) ternary blends with co-continuous phase structure were prepared via peroxide-induced dynamic vulcanization. The good compatibility between NR-PMMA with PLA and NR and the interfacial grafting reaction during the preparation process ameliorated the interfacial compatibility between the phases. Therefore, the energy stored in the rubber phases could be effectively transferred to PLA, thus achieving an excellent shape-memory effect even under-repeated shape-memory cycles. Furthermore, by adding 10 wt% NR-PMMA, the TPVs exhibited improved impact strength and tensile strength up to 98.05 kJ/m2 and 45.2 MPa, respectively.