Polylactic acid
Description
A biodegradable a thermoplastic polyester made from renewable resources, such as beet, corn starch, cassava roots, or surgarcane. Polylactic acid was first developed in the 1980s in Japan. By 2010 it was the second most used bioplastic in the world. Polylactic acid is made by the polymerization of lactic acid and the ester lactide. The resultant polyester can be formed into fibers, sheets, and molded products. Early uses included absorbable sutures and dissolvable medical implants, but the product quickly expanded into the area of biodegradable consumer products such as cups, bottles, bags, and containers. It commonly used as feedstock 3d printing, either as the final product or as a mold that is later burnt out in a furnace.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Poly(lactic) acid; PLA; polylactide
Applications
Personal and Collection Risks
AMPolymer.com: SDS
Environmental Risks
PLA is biodegradable but can also be recycled, either chemically or mechanically. It is used as an alternative to ABS (in 3D printing), cellophane (in packaging) and shellac (as a biologically derived coating).
Physical and Chemical Properties
Soluble in chlorinated solvents, hot benzene, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane. Insoluble in water.
| CAS | 26100-51-6 |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 130-180 C |
| Glass transition | 60-65 C |
| Density | 1.210-1.430 |