Optimization of 4D Printing Performance of Poly(lactic acid)/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites via Orthogonal Design and the Synergistic Effect of Crosslinking Agent-coupling Agent
摘要
This study aimed to systematically regulate the performance of 4D printing composites by investigating the synergistic effects of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (MAH-g-PE) on a poly(lactic acid)/thermoplastic polyurethane (PLA/TPU) matrix. Specifically, using a 70 wt%/30 wt% PLA/TPU matrix and an L9(32) orthogonal design, composites were evaluated via morphology, shape memory, mechanical tests, and multi-criteria analysis. Moderate DCP enhanced crosslinking, improving storage modulus and thermal stability, while excessive DCP caused brittleness. Furthermore, MAH-g-PE effectively improved interfacial compatibility, and its synergy with DCP was dosage-dependent. Consequently, Sample 5 achieved optimal performance, exhibiting uniform fracture morphology, a shape fixation rate of 98.8% with the fastest recovery, and balanced strength-ductility. Multi-criteria analysis identified elongation at break and recovery time as the top contributing factors, with consistent rankings validated by Spearman analysis (ρ=0.833, p<0.01). In summary, adjusting DCP and MAH-g-PE contents effectively modulates the crosslinking structure and interfacial properties of PLA/TPU composites, providing a viable strategy for developing high-performance, tunable 4D printing materials.