Identifier

etd-01262012-151136

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Human Ecology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

One fiber that is being researched as a possible alternative to the petroleum based polyester fibers currently being used is polylactic acid (PLA). Being aware of the low heat resistance and degradation of PLA during processing is a concern for practical production and the performance of the polymer. Disperse dyed PLA film and solution dyed PLA film, along with un-dyed film and the original PLA pellets have been investigated to determine molecular weight. Infrared analysis has been conducted to examine the compounds found in the PLA samples at different steps in the polymer processing. Un-dyed PLA samples have been subjected to different heat treatments to observe the changes associated with temperature exposure. PLA has also been analyzed after dyeing to view the effects of the coloration method to the PLA structure.

Date

2012

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Negulescu, Ioan

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1088

Included in

Human Ecology Commons

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