Phenolic Resin-Induced Dynamically Vulcanized Polylactide/Natural Rubber Blends

Blends based on polylactide (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) were prepared through phenolic resin-induced dynamic vulcanization. The cross-linked NR had a continuous phase structure in PLA. The incorporation of NR sacrificed the tensile strength but only had a limited increase in the impact strength of PLA. The viscoelasticities of the PLA melts were largely improved by the cross-linked NR phase, however, the crystallization of the PLA phase was restricted by the continuous NR phase. The initial decomposition temperature of the blends was lowered by the incorporation of NR.