Talc as a nucleating agent and reinforcing filler in poly(lactic acid) composites Abdul Shakoor Noreen Thomas 2134/13942 https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Talc_as_a_nucleating_agent_and_reinforcing_filler_in_poly_lactic_acid_composites/9234461 The effect of talc on the crystallinity and mechanical properties of a series of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/talc composites has been investigated. The composites were prepared by melt blending followed by compression molding. It was found that talc acted as a nucleating agent and increased the crystallinity of the PLA from 2% to 25%. There was significant improvement in Young's modulus of the composites with increasing talc addition and these results were found to fit the Halpin Tsai model. Thermo-mechanical tests confirmed that the combination of increased crystallinity and storage modulus leads to improvement in the heat distortion properties. 2014-01-10 10:26:22 untagged Materials Engineering not elsewhere classified