Improving the flame retardance and melt dripping of poly(lactic acid) with a novel polymeric flame retardant of high thermal stability

A polymeric flame retardant containing phosphorus and nitrogen (PCNFR) was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The thermal decomposition temperatures at 10% weight loss (T_{10 wt%}) of PCNFR were around 358 °C, and the char yield at 600 °C reached about 60 wt% both in nitrogen and air by thermogravimetric analysis. The flame retarded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites with PCNFR were prepared. The thermogravimetric analysis results showed that PCNFR could improve the thermal stability of the flame retarded PLA composites with low loading (≤10 wt%) and at high temperature zone (≥390 °C). The condensed products from the decomposition of the flame retarded composites at 380 °C and 450 °C for different intervals were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, and the results showed that time and temperature influenced the structure of the char residue evidently. When incorporating 30 wt% PCNFR into PLA, the limited oxygen index of the flame retarded composites reached 25.0%, and V‐0 rating was achieved. The char residues were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy in detail. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on flame‐retardancy and thermal degradation behaviors of intumescent flame‐retardant polylactide systems

Two intumescent flame‐retardant (IFR) additives, IFR‐I and IFR‐II, were synthesized and their structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Polylactide (PLA) was modified by the two IFRs to obtain flame‐retardant composites. The flammability of the PLA/IFR composites was characterized by the vertical burning test UL‐94 and limiting oxygen index. The limiting oxygen index values of the PLA composites increased with increase of IFR content. The PLA composite with 20 wt% IFR‐I could pass the UL‐94 V0 rating, while the composite with 30 wt% IFR‐II could not. The results of pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry showed that the heat release capacity of PLA composites with 30 wt% IFR‐I decreased 43.1% compared with that of pure PLA. The thermal degradation and gas products of PLA/IFR‐I systems were monitored by thermogravimetric analysis and thermogravimetric analysis infrared spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the surface morphology of the char residue. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation,characterization, and biodegradation of PS:PLA and PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites using Aspergillus niger

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was synthesized using l ‐lactic acid by condensation polymerization. Polystyrene (PS) and surface modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was used for the preparation of PS:PLA composites and PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites. The composite materials prepared had varying amount of PLA (10–30%) and OMMT (0.5–5 phr). These composites were subjected to degradation in minimal medium using the fungi Aspergillus niger (A. niger) under controlled conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the growth of microorganism on the polymer surface and fracture within the polymer matrix as a result of degradation. Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) was further used to determine the mechanism leading to biodegradation. It was found that the biodegradation of both PS:PLA and PS:PLA:OMMT took place mainly via break down and utilization of ester group, as can be seen from disappearance of absorption peak of ester group and simultaneous appearance of a typical IR absorption of microbial mass at 1450 cm⁻¹. The thermal stability of PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites was found to increase with increasing concentration of OMMT, as observed from thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), while mechanical property was found to be decreased after degradation at 30% of PLA and 5 wt% of OMMT content. Change in extracellular protein content, biomass production and % degradation with respect to time (up to 28 days) were studied and correlated to evaluate the effectiveness of A. niger in biodegradation of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:263–272, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The synthesis of poly (lactic acid)-fulvic acid graft polymer and its effect on the crystallization and performance of poly (lactic acid)

ABSTRACT

The poly (lactic acid)-fulvic acid graft polymer (PLA-FA) was synthesized with lactic acid and fulvic acid (FA). The optimum parameters were determined by orthogonal experiment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy exhibited that FA was successfully grafted onto PLA. Then, PLA/PLA-FA composites were prepared with PLA-FA as fillers by melt blending. The structure characterization and performance tests demonstrated that PLA-FA effectively enhanced the comprehensive performance of PLA composites. The rheological analysis demonstrated that PLA-FA had plasticization effect. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics demonstrated that PLA-FA promoted the crystallization rate of PLA composites, improving toughness of PLA composites.     

Effect of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) on biodegradation of PS:PLA and PS:PLA:OMMT using Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The environmental issues of synthetic polymers have been resolved using biodegradation under controlled conditions. The degradation study of polymeric composites of (a) polystyrene (PS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (PS:PLA), and (b) PS:PLA filled with organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) (PS:PLA:OMMT) was carried out using Phanerochaete chrysosporium . PLA was synthesized using l ‐lactic acid under controlled ultrasound cavitation technique, dried and added to a solution of PS. Surface of montmorillonite (MMT) was modified using column chromatographic technique to improve d‐spacing up to 31.5 Å. The sheets of PS:PLA and PS:PLA:OMMT were subjected to degradation study in minimal medium using P. chrysosporium micro‐organism under controlled conditions up to 28 days. The growth of micro‐organism and fractures inside the polymer matrix before and after degradation was observed using scanning electron microscope. Change in extracellular protein content, biomass production, and % degradation with respect to time of incubated samples have been also studied. It was found that the PS:PLA:OMMT (at 5 phr OMMT content) and PS:PLA (at 30% PLA) composites show an increment in degradation. The presence of OMMT leads to faster degradation of PS:PLA:OMMT nanocomposites, which decreases in mechanical property by 30% of PLA and 5 wt% of OMMT content. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1292–1301, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Positive temperature coefficient to resistively characteristics of polystyrene/nickel powder/multiwall carbon nanotubes composites

Positive temperature coefficient to resistivity (PTCR) characteristics of polystyrene (PS)/Ni‐powder (40 wt%) composites in the presence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been investigated with reference to PS/carbon black (CB) composites. The PS/CB (10 wt%) composites showed a sudden rise in resistivity (PTC trip) at ≈110°C, above the glass transition temperature (T_g) of PS (T_g ≈95°C). Interestingly, the PTC trip temperature of PS/Ni‐powder (40 wt%)/MWCNT (0.75 phr) composites appeared at ≈90°C (below T_g of PS), indicating better dimensional stability of the composites at PTC trip temperature. The PTC trip temperature of the composites below the T_g of matrix polymer (PS) has been explained in terms of higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value of PS than Ni that led to a disruption in continuous network structure of Ni even below the T_g of PS. The dielectric study of PS/Ni‐powder (40 wt%)/MWCNT (0.75 phr) composites indicated possible use of the PTC composites as dielectric material. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis studies revealed higher storage modulus and improved thermal stability of PS/Ni‐powder (40 wt%)/MWCNT (0.75 phr) composites than the PS/CB (10 wt%) composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 33:1977–1986, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and properties of fluorinated graphene oxide bisphenol a epoxy nanocomposites

This study thoroughly studied the implements of fluorosilane modified graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of the epoxy composites built up by specific content of modified GO. Fluorosilane graphene oxide (GOSiF) was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffractometer. The epoxy composites tensile and bending modulus were increased by 11.46% and 62.25% with 0.1 and 0.5 wt% GOSiF loading, respectively. The good interfacial interaction was observed between epoxy matrix and GOSiF nanosheets under scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability increases with GOSiF loading. Epoxy composite with 0.3 wt% GOSiF shows 5 °C increases in the T_10%. The residual weight raised by 58.67% with 0.3 wt% GOSiF content. The water absorption study revealed small water uptake was obtained for all GOSiF composites. With 0.3 wt% loading of GOSiF, the maximum water content drops from 4.97% for neat epoxy to 1.98%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1250–1257 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Banana/sisal fibers reinforced poly(lactic acid) hybrid biocomposites; influence of chemical modification of BSF towards thermal properties

The present work focused on thermal behavior of biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with untreated and benzoyl peroxide (BP) treated banana/sisal fibers (BSF) combination. Fabrication of biocomposites was performed by extrusion followed by injection molding. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectral technique ascertained the nature of bonding between BSF and PLA. The thermal properties of virgin PLA, UT‐BSF/PLA, and BP‐T‐BSF/PLA composites were studied by DSC and TGA analysis. DSC analysis indicated no significant changes in the glass transition temperature (T _g) and melting temperature (T _m) of virgin PLA, UT‐BSF/PLA, and BP‐T‐BSF/PLA composites and no sign of crystallization for both virgin PLA, UT‐BSF/PLA composites. However, crystallization was observed in BP‐T‐BSF/PLA composites. The BP‐T‐BSF/PLA composite exhibited a delayed thermal degradation pattern from TGA analysis when compared to that of UT‐BSF/PLA composites and virgin PLA as well. Further, the effect of BSF treatment and hybridization of BSF with PLA on the degree of crystallinity (X _c) were explored in detail. The above said composites were also investigated through scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs to examine the adhesion between the PLA and BSF. In addition, the results of SEM acquired are in good agreement with the data resulted from FTIR and thermal characterization. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1053–1062, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of wood flour and chitosan on mechanical,chemical, and thermal properties of polylactide

Composites of polylactide (PLA, 100–60 wt%) and wood flour (0–40 wt%) were prepared to assess the effects of wood filler content on the mechanical, chemical, thermal, and morphological properties of the composites. The polysaccharide chitosan (0–10 wt%) was added as a potential coupling agent for the PLA‐wood flour composites. Addition of wood flour significantly increased the flexural modulus and the storage modulus of PLA‐wood flour composite, but neither the wood flour nor chitosan had an effect on the glass transition temperature (T_g). Fourier transform infrared spectra did not show any evidence of covalent bonding, but chitosan at the interface between wood and PLA is thought to have formed hydrogen bonds to PLA‐carbonyl groups. SEM images of fracture surfaces showed that fiber breakage was far more common than fiber pullout in the composites. No evidence of discrete chitosan domains was seen in SEM micrographs. When added at up to 10 wt% (based on wood flour mass), chitosan showed no significant effect on the mechanical, chemical, or thermal properties of the composites, with property changes depending on wood flour content only. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Long‐range‐ordered,hexagonally packed nanoporous membranes from degradable‐block‐containing diblock copolymer film templates

Polystyrene (PS)‐b‐polylactide (PLA) diblock copolymers with different molecular weights and fractions were synthesized through a combination of living anionic polymerization and controlled ring‐opening polymerization. Then, the PS–PLA films were guided to phase‐separate by self‐assembly into different morphologies through casting solvent selection, solvent evaporation, and thermal and solvent‐field regulation. Finally, perpendicularly oriented PS–PLA films were used as precursors for PS membranes with an ordered periodic nanoporous structure; this was achieved by the selective etching of the segregated PLA domains dispersed in a continuous matrix of PS. Testing techniques, including IR, ¹H‐NMR, gel permeation chromatography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were used to determine the chemical structure of the PS–PLA copolymer and its film morphology. AFM images of the self‐assembled PS‐PLA films indicate that vertical tapers of the PLA domains were generated among PS continuum when either toluene or tetrahydrofuran was used as the annealing solvent. The SEM images certified that the chemical etching of the PLA component from the self‐assembled PS–PLA films led to a long‐range‐ordered array of hexagonally packed nanoporous membranes with a diameter about 500 nm and a center‐to‐center distance of 1700 nm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39638.     

Effect of lactic acid chain length on thermomechanical properties of star‐LA‐xylitol resins and jute reinforced biocomposites

Star‐shaped bio‐based resins were synthesized by direct condensation of lactic acid (LA) with xylitol followed by end‐functionalizing of branches by methacrylic anhydride with three different LA chain lengths (3, 5 and 7). The thermomechanical and structural properties of the resins were characterized by ¹³C NMR, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, rheometry, DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), TGA and flexural and tensile tests. An evaluation of the effect of chain length on the synthesized resins showed that the resin with five LAs exhibited the most favorable thermomechanical properties. Also, the resin's glass transition temperature (103 °C) was substantially higher than that of the thermoplast PLA (ca 55 °C). The resin had low viscosity at its processing temperature (80 °C). The compatibility of the resin with natural fibers was investigated for biocomposite manufacturing. Finally, composites were produced from the n5‐resin (80 wt% fiber content) using jute fiber. The thermomechanical and morphological properties of the biocomposites were compared with jute‐PLA composites and a hybrid composite made of the impregnated jute fibers with n5 resin and PLA. SEM and DMA showed that the n5‐jute composites had better mechanical properties than the other composites produced. Inexpensive monomers, good thermomechanical properties and good processability of the n5 resin make the resin comparable with commercial unsaturated polyester resins. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and flame retardancy of polystyrene nanocomposites based on layered double hydroxides

Various layered double hydroxides (LDHs), including MgAl, CoAl, NiAl, and ZnAl‐LDHs, were synthesized and modified using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. Nonhalogen flame‐retardant PS/LDHs nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixing method. The structure of PS/LDHs nanocomposites was investigated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern technique, and scanning electronic microscope. Results from XRD indicated that intercalated/exfoliated structure was achieved in the polystyrene matrix. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis suggested that the storage modulus and T _g for the PS/LDHs nanocomposites was efficiently improved. Thermal and flammability properties of PS nanocomposites were investigated using thermogravimetry and cone calorimetry. Thermal analysis was evaluated and the prepared nanocomposites showed slightly lower thermal stability probably due to the presence of LDH, which starts to decompose at a lower temperature. Compared with neat PS, the peak heat release rate of PS/MgAl and PS/ZnAl‐LDHs nanocomposites filled with 5 wt% LDHs is reduced by 7% and 12%, respectively. Among all LDHs, MgAl, and ZnAl‐LDHs had a better smoke suppression effect with a reduction of peak smoke production rate and CO release rate of 37% and 44%, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1680–1688, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Development and characterization of solid and porous polylactide‐multiwall carbon nanotube composites

This article describes the fabrication of solid and porous polylactide (PLA)‐multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites prepared using melt blending and subsequent batch processing of porous structures. The morphology and thermal, rheological and electrical properties of the PLA‐MWNT composites prepared with MWNT concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 wt% were characterized. The composite structure consisted of identifiable regions of MWNT aggregation and MWNT dispersion. Increasing MWNT content was found to increase the thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of PLA. The addition of MWNT to PLA significantly increased the melt viscosity and electrical conductivity of the composites. Based on rheological and electrical measurements, a continuous MWNT network structure in PLA was found to form when the concentration of MWNT is increased from 0.5 wt% (0.33 vol%) to 1 wt% (0.66 vol%). As many current day applications of polymers and polymer composites require lightweight and low‐density materials, porous PLA‐MWNT composites were fabricated from a batch porous structure processing technique. Porous PLA‐MWNT composites containing 2 and 5 wt% MWNT had lower relative densities, which is attributed to the higher viscosity of the composites suppressing collapse of the porous structure during processing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Poly(lactic acid)/polystyrene bioblends characterized by thermogravimetric analysis,differential scanning calorimetry,and photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy

Bioblends are composites of at least one biodegradable polymer with nonbiodegradable polymer. Successful development of bioblends requires that the biodegradable polymers be compatible with other component polymers. Compatibility can be assessed by evaluating the intermolecular interactions between the component polymers. In this work, the interaction in binary bioblends comprising biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polystyrene (PS) was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR‐PAS). The TGA studies indicated that incorporation of PLA in PS resulted in thermal destabilization of PS. The DSC studies showed that some parameters favored partial miscibility of PS in PLA, while others favored immiscibility, such as the existence of two glass transitions. The FTIR‐PAS spectra revealed the presence of intermolecular n–π interactions between PLA and PS and indicated that the degree of interaction was dependent on the concentrations of the polymers in the bioblends. FTIR‐PAS results computed via differential spectral deconvolution were consistent with, and therefore support, the results of TGA and DSC analyses of PLA/PS bioblends. The degradation kinetics, used to determine the degradation mechanism, revealed a two‐ or three‐step mechanism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Conductivity and mechanical properties of well-dispersed single-wall carbon nanotube/polystyrene composite

The morphologies, electrical and mechanical properties and structure of polystyrene (PS) composites with varying concentrations of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are analyzed. Using Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy, we demonstrate that initial thermal annealing of SWNT significantly improves their dispersion in PS. In dielectric measurements, the annealed SWNT/PS composites show higher electrical conductivity and a lower percolation threshold (less than 0.3 wt%) than the raw SWNT/PS composites, which provides further evidence of good dispersion of the annealed SWNT in PS. Raman spectra of composites under tension show good transfer of an applied stress from the polymer matrix to SWNT. However, mechanical moduli of the annealed SWNT/PS composites are only increased slightly. The reason for this discrepancy remains unclear.     

POSS/PS复合材料的制备及其热性能研究

以1,3,5,7,9,11,13-苯基-15-氯丙基笼型倍半硅氧烷(POSS-Cl)与二乙醇胺进行反应,将末端氯基团转化为两个端羟基,通过羟基与2-溴代异丁酰溴的酯化反应得到POSS-(Br)2引发剂,并运用原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)成功合成了一种新型POSS/PS复合材料。采用傅里叶红外(FTIR)、核磁共振(NMR)等手段对POSS和POSS/PS的结构进行了表征。通过差示扫描量热(DSC)和热失重(TGA)分析对POSS/PS复合材料的热性能进行了研究。结果表明:POSS单元的引入能显著提高聚合物的热稳定性。     

Facile dispersion of exfoliated graphene/PLA nanocomposites via in situ polycondensation with a melt extrusion process and its rheological studies

This work attempted to improve the dispersion of graphene by coating poly(lactic acid) pellets with a masterbatch before melt processing. An in situ polycondensation reaction of lactic acid oligomer was utilized to prepare the masterbatch (MB) of exfoliated graphene (GR). MB dispersed composites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were fabricated by melt extrusion of MB‐coated PLA. One normal coated composite without MB coating (PLA‐M‐0.2GR) was fabricated for comparing properties. X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and morphological studies revealed better compatibility, dispersion, and interaction of GR for the diluted‐MB composite compared to the normal coated composite. The thermal stability, crystallization properties, and mechanical properties of the composites were examined, and the effect of short PLA chains in diluted‐MB composites was observed. The melt rheology nature of the composites was examined. Cole–Cole plots and Han plots suggested a uniform distribution of graphene. The sample PLA‐MB‐0.05GR showed improved modulus and elongation at break. It also showed better dispersion of GR, comparable thermal stability, good miscibility, good chain mobility, and high activation energy. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46476.     

Poly(lactic acid)/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blend composites with wood flour and wollastonite: Physical properties,morphology, and biodegradability

In the present study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a biodegradable plastic, was melt‐blended with five weight percentages (10–50 wt%) of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, a non‐biodegradable plastic, having a vinyl acetate content of 19 wt% and a melt flow index of 530 g/10 min, on a twin screw extruder, followed by an injection molding. The blends at 10 and 20 wt% EVA revealed a noticeably increased impact strength and strain at break over the pure PLA, and the blend at 10 wt% EVA exhibited the highest impact strength and strain at break. The 90/10 (wt%/wt%) PLA/EVA blend was then selected for preparing either single or hybrid composite with wood flour (WF) and wollastonite (WT). The filler loading was fixed at 30 parts by weight per hundred of resin throughout the experiment, and the WF/WT weight ratios were 30/0, 20/10, 15/15, 10/20, and 0/30. The prepared composites were examined for their mechanical and thermal properties, melt flow index, flammability, water uptake, and biodegradability as a function of composition. All the composites showed a filler‐dose‐dependent decrease in the impact strength and strain at break, but an increase in the tensile and flexural modulus (optimal at 0/30 WF/WT) and tensile and flexural strength (optimal at 30/0 WF/WT) as compared with the neat 90/10 (wt%/wt%) PLA/EVA blend. In addition, the melt flow index, char residue, anti‐dripping ability, water uptake, and biodegradability of the composites were also higher than those of the neat blend. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:313–327, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Investigation on the environmental-friendly poly(lactic acid) composites based on precipitated barium sulfate: Mechanical,thermal properties,and kinetic study of thermal degradation

A novel environmental-friendly poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites based on precipitated barium sulfate (BaSO₄) were prepared via melt-compounding. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of PLA/BaSO₄ composites were investigated. To dig the decomposition mechanism, kinetic analysis of thermal degradation was emphasized systematically based on nonisothermal thermograms. Results showed that the mechanical responses were improved remarkably both under the quasi-static condition and subjected to high-speed shock due to the well-bonded interfaces between PLA and BaSO₄. Meanwhile, the added BaSO₄ suppressed the mass conversion rate of PLA phase and improved the thermal stability at high temperature. Due to the inhibition of BaSO₄, the calculated activation energy was enhanced obviously according to model-free isoconversional approaches. Finally, the apparent kinetic mechanism and reaction order for the over-all thermal degradation were determined by the combination of model-fitting approaches and Carrasco method. From this study, we hope to provide a facile method to prepare environmental-friendly PLA composites with excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47995.     

Poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride)‐graft‐fatty acids as novel solid–solid PCMs for thermal energy storage

A solid–solid phase change material (S‐SPCM) can store and release a specific amount of latent heat during its phase transition. In this regard, poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (SMA)‐graft‐fatty acids (FA) copolymers were synthesized as novel S‐SPCMs for thermal energy storage (TES). The chemical structures of the SMA‐g‐FA copolymers were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy techniques. The phase transformations of the copolymers form crystalline phase to amorphous phase were monitored using polarized optical microscopy (POM). The latent heat TES (LHTES) properties, thermal cycling reliability, and thermal stability of the S‐SPCMs were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The SMA‐g‐FA copolymers produced as S‐SPCMs showed solid–solid phase transitions at about 40°C–60 °C range and had latent heat storage and release ability between 84 and 127 J/g, respectively. The S‐SPCMs had stable chemical structures and reliable LHTES characteristics even after 5,000 thermal cycling. They had reasonable thermal conductivity value changed in the range of 0.15–0.19 W/mK. Furthermore, it was concluded that the SMA‐g‐FA copolymers can be considered as promising S‐SPCMs for TES utilizations. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E337–E347, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers