**4.1 Differential scanning calorimetric analyses (DSC)**

DSC heating curves of PLA, PBAT, and PLA/PBAT (50/50) blends, after crystallizing from melt, are shown in **Figure 1**.

PLA was primarily amorphous when it was cooled from melt, and this result suggests that PLA was not able to crystallize within the cooling time frame.

**145**

**Figure 2.**

**Table 3.**

*Study of Bio-Based Foams Prepared from PBAT/PLA Reinforced with Bio-Calcium Carbonate…*

In **Table 3** a brief summary of thermal properties of PLA, PBAT, and PBAT/PLA

TG was carried out to investigate the effect of processing on the thermal decom-

The onset temperature of the decomposition of PLA slightly decreases with the extrusion process; nevertheless, its blend with PBAT and PBAT purely showed a higher onset temperature. This change in PLA could be originated from the degradation of the polymer, leading to the presence of shorter polymer chains and an increase in the number of chain ends per mass. Chain ends then promote a domi-

position of PLA and PBAT under nitrogen atmosphere; in **Figure 2** behavior of

X-ray diffraction patterns of all studied samples are shown in **Figure 3**. In order to provide a more effective visualization of involved samples, as well as their behavior in the present study, components were separated into individual

**Designation Tg (°C) Tm (°C) Xc (%)** PBAT −29.7 [44] 120.0 14.8 PLA 60.4 158.0 61.1 PBAT/PLA, 50/50 — 86.9 29.9

nant degradation pathway at the temperature range of 270–360°C.

*Tg = glass transition temperature; Tm = melting temperature, second fusion; Xc = crystallinity.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85462*

**4.2 Thermogravimetric analyses (TG)**

**4.3 X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD)**

*Thermal properties of materials studied.*

graphs, according to **Figures 4-7**, as follows.

*TG and DTG curves for PLA, PBAT, and PBAT/PLA (50/50).*

(50/50) is depicted:

samples studied is shown.

**Figure 1.** *Melting and crystallization curves for PLA, PBAT, and PLA/PBAT (50/50).*

*Study of Bio-Based Foams Prepared from PBAT/PLA Reinforced with Bio-Calcium Carbonate… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85462*

In **Table 3** a brief summary of thermal properties of PLA, PBAT, and PBAT/PLA (50/50) is depicted:
