Hydrolysis and thermal degradation of poly( L ‐lactide) in the presence of talc and modified talc

Talc and talc modified with trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane (O‐talc) were melt compounded with poly (L‐lactide) (PLA). The crystallization behavior, tensile properties, and impact strength of the PLA composites were examined before and after the incorporation of talc and O‐talc. The molecular weight of PLA in the PLA composites was measured as a function of the hydrolysis time and temperature. The effect of talc and O‐talc on the thermal stability of PLA was examined and quantified by the activation energy of thermal degradation and the integral procedural decomposition temperature value determined from the corresponding thermo‐gravimetric analysis weight loss profiles.