Tailoring of polylactic acid polymer via ionizing radiation and thermal treatment for deriving PLATech. - A novel class of cost-competitive, "green" thermoplastic series for adhesive-coating applications

Alexander C Bakken, Purdue University

Abstract

The market for thermoplastic based adhesives is broad and includes a multitude of end users and applications. In recent years a focus towards environmentally responsible products with improved performance has changed the landscape of available technologies. This work focuses on a technology called PLATech., which is based on polylactic acid(PLA) and offers high performance capabilities as an adhesive while still remaining eco-friendly, biorenewable, and biodegradable on demand. Methods for producing PLATech. adhesives allow for enhanced functionality and application specific tailoring dependent on end user requirements and applications. Results from this study reveal that PLATech. can be tailored to meet or exceed commercially available polyurethane, cyanoacrylate, and EVA based adhesives by up to 100%. Fully functional bonds are achieved within seconds to minutes of application depending on substrate and can be applied using off the shelf low cost applicators. No pressurization or substrate surface preparation is required for use on a wide range of substrates including metals (steel, copper, aluminum), engineering plastics (including PTFE), glasses, ceramics, woods (natural and engineered), brick, stone, marble, and paper products. As well, PLATech. offers the ability to seal holes or crevices in any of the aforementioned substrates. Furthermore the ability to tailor PLATech. adhesives via γ-photon based crosslinking has been demonstrated and allows for enhanced formulation of application specified bond strength. PLATech. offers all of these capabilities while remaining 100% VOC-free, environmentally responsible, and bio-degradable.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Taleyarkhan, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Nuclear engineering|Materials science

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