Thermoplastics compounder RTP (Winona, Minnesota / USA; www.rtpcompany.com) has introduced a range of glass fibre-reinforced bioplastic PLA compounds, which it says overcomes many limitations of unmodified PLA. The new materials are claimed to provide greater strength, stiffness and thermal performance in durable and semi-durable applications.

In comparison with unmodified PLA, the glass fibre-reinforced compound has nearly twice the tensile strength at 114 MPa, and its heat deflection temperature has increased by nearly 93 °C. “RTP can now produce PLA bioplastic compounds with mechanical properties that meet or exceed those of many traditional thermoplastics,” said Will Taber, business manager for emerging technologies at RTP. The application of nucleation packages speeds crystallisation, increasing temperature performance and allowing quicker part ejection. RTP said this results in PLA injection moulding cycle times similar to PP and ABS.

The colourable grades have glass fibre loadings from 10% to 40% with the ability to customise glass level to meet the specific requirements of individual applications in appliance, automotive, consumer goods, E&E and construction markets.