Biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer comprising PLLCA and CaCO3 whiskers: mechanical properties, thermal stability and shape memory properties
(329-336) Journal of Polymer Research 18  #3 (20
Wang et al, China, reinforced a biodegradable and thermoplastic elastomer — poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLLCA)— with 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% of CaCO3 whiskers. At low CaCO3 whisker contents, the tensile strengths of the composites increased sharply with increasing CaCO3 content, the Young’s moduli also increased, and the elongation at break values gradually decreased. Shape memory test results indicated that CaCO3 whiskers can improve the shape memory properties of PLLCA.  (RDC 4/2/2011)