07/11/2023
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Plastics Engineering, invites you to attend a Master’s thesis defense by Simran Chatrath on “Performance of Recycled Polylactic Acid/Amorphous Polyhydroxyalkanoate Blends.”

Candidate Name: Simran Chatrath
Degree: Master’s
Date: Friday, July 21, 2023
Time: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location: BAL-202B

Committee:

  • Advisor: Carol Forance Barry, D.Eng., Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Amir Ameli, Ph.D., Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Raj Krishnaswamy, Ph.D., CJ Biomaterials, Inc.

Brief Abstract:
Blends of polylactic acid (PLA) with amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (aPHA) are less brittle than neat PLA, thus enabling their use for packaging applications. This work investigated the impact of recycling on the processing and properties of neat PLA and PLA/aPHA blends. The neat PLA and PLA/aPHA blends were subjected to five heat histories in a single screw extruder. The tensile, Izod impact, rheological properties, thermal properties, and color of the materials were determined for each material and heat history. These properties will help enable users to determine the amount of recycled material that can be added to neat resin for packaging applications.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.