Effect gamma irradiation on properties of PLA

10 February 2016

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a well-known biodegradable polymer with strong potential for application in the food packaging industry. Researchers at the Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo in Mexico exposed samples of PLA clamshells to gamma irradiation at different dose levels and then studied the physicochemical properties of the PLA. Results show that as the dose increased, the molecular weight, melting temperature, tensile strength and elongation at break decreased. The surface of PLA clamshells was degraded (scratches and minor cracks) when samples were exposed to doses greater than 60 kGy. An article about the research is published in Radiation Physics and Chemistry.
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