Biodegradable PLA/TPU blends with improved mechanical properties

In this paper, a polylactic acid (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite material was developed to improve the tensile strength and flexibility of PLA, thereby improving its overall mechanical properties. SEM and FTIR analyses confirmed that the blending PLA with TPU did not induce chemical reactions. Results indicated that the modulus of the PLA 9/1 composite increased by 17% compared to PLA 10/0 , demonstrating TPU effectiveness in enhancing flexibility. Additionally, an optimal TPU amount acts as a particle reinforcement, improving the mechanical properties and expanding application potential of PLA.