Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A process for manufacturing particles including a stereocomplex of poly-D-lactide (PDLA) and poly-L-lactide (PLLA), including the steps of: extruding a melt including 30-70 wt. % of PDLA and 70-30 wt. % of PLLA through an sc-PLA formation zone in a twin-screw extruder, wherein the formation zone is operated at a barrel temperature above the melting temperature of the PDLA and PLLA and below 220° C.; wherein the sc-PLA formation zone is followed by a finishing zone which is operated at a barrel temperature below 160° C.; wherein the finishing zone is followed by the end of the extruder which has a die-head resistance of 0; and recovering solid stereocomplex particles from the end of the extruder. The stereocomplex particles find use in various applications, e.g., in fracking fluids, as filler, as nucleating agent, in particular in the molding of semi-crystalline PLA, or as a starting material for the manufacture of sc-PLA products.

First Claim