Surprising shape-memory effect of polylactide resulted from toughening by polyamide elastomer

Melt blending of polylactide (PLA) and biodegradable polyamide elastomer (PAE) has been performed in an effort to toughen the PLA. DMA tests showed good compatibility between PAE and PLA blends, and the PAE were dispersed in PLA matrix uniformly shown in SEM photos. Mechanical properties of blends with different PAE concentrations were observed. With the PAE contents increasing, the elongation at break of blends increased and the brittle break became ductile break. When the PAE content is 10%, the tensile strength of blend is similar to neat PLA, and the elongation increased to 194.6% significantly. Remarkably, the blends showed wonderful shape-memory effect. PAE domains act as stress concentrators in system with the stress release locally and lead to energy-dissipation process. These will prevent PLA matrix from breaking under high deformation, and lead to the PLA molecular orientation. Consequently, the blends occurred to deformation upon tensile load, and heating up the material will reform the shape back to the original shape.