Process for forming polylactide expanded bead foam

Expanded poly(lactide) (PLA) beads are made by pressurizing PLA beads with carbon dioxide at approximately room temperature, heating the beads under pressure to 90 to 160 DEG C to saturate and partially crystallize the beads, and then depressurizing and cooling the beads. The PLA beads contain a blend of PLLA and PDLA in certain ratios. The beads are useful for making expanded bead foam. 通过在约室温下用二氧化碳对PLA珠粒进行加压、在压力下将所述珠粒加热至90至160C以使所述珠粒饱和且部分结晶、并且然后使所述珠粒减压和冷却来制造膨胀聚(丙交酯)(PLA)珠粒。所述PLA珠粒包含呈一定比例的PLLA和PDLA的共混物。所述珠粒可用于制造膨胀珠粒泡沫。