Evaluation of the Properties of Polylactic Acid Foam Prepared with Azodicarbonamide Blowing Agent

Poodineh, Mohammad; Nosrati, Babak; Dahmardeh, Mohammad; Farrokhpayam, Saeidreza

doi:10.22092/ijwpr.2025.369518.1805

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Ph.D. Student, Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

² Associate professor, Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

³ Assistant professor, Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22092/ijwpr.2025.369518.1805

Abstract

Background and purpose: Nowadays, natural polymers such as cellulose, starch, and polylactic acid (PLA) are used as alternatives to petroleum polymers in various fields. Among them, PLA has been considered as the polymer that has the most structural similarities to petroleum polymers. In this study, PLA was used as the base polymer for foam production. Wood floor as a mechanical enhancer and azodicarbonamide (ACA) was used as a foaming agent. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as a nucleating agent.
Materials and methods: The PLA foams were prepared by combining wood flour, foaming agent, and nucleating agent in an extruder and then molding using pressing. MCC as a nucleating agent in the production of PLA/wood flour foam with ACA foaming agent was used. Thermal properties of the prepared panels were investigated using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
Results: The results showed that by increasing the amount of foaming agent to 3% and nucleating agent to 4%, the density of the foam panel was reduced by 52.45%. The decrease in density was accompanied by an increase in porosity, an increase in water absorption, and an increase in thickness swelling at all treatment levels (1 to 3% foaming agent and 1 to 4% nucleating agent). This decrease in density led to a decrease in tensile and flexural strength as well as an increase in impact strength. The results of TGA and DSC tests showed that the use of foaming agent did not change the glass transition temperature of the manufactured foams, but the addition of MCC led to an increase in the glass transition temperature of the foams. Also, the DSC results showed a change in the crystallization behavior of the manufactured foams after the addition of MCC.
Conclusion: This study indicated that the nucleation property of MCC was effective in controlling cell growth and reducing pore diameter. Therefore, MCC can be used to produce microcellular polylactic acid foam of acceptable quality. Considering this issue, the present study emphasizes the use of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) due to its industrial applications, low cost, biodegradability, and environmental impacts.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Nano composite

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Evaluation of the Properties of Polylactic Acid Foam Prepared with Azodicarbonamide Blowing Agent

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Volume 40, Issue 4 - Serial Number 93December 2025Pages 338-360

Volume 40, Issue 4 - Serial Number 93
December 2025
Pages 338-360