Shape memory effect and thermal conductivity of PLA / h‐BN composites

The use of polylactic acid‐based composites as self‐fixing materials is a promising technology for various applications due to the shape memory effect of polylactide. In this study, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) was mixed with polylactic acid (PLA) with concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 wt% for subsequent film casting. The morphology, mechanical and thermal characteristics of the composite were investigated. With a high percentage of filler content, a decrease in thermal conductivity was observed. The recovery strain decreased with increasing the filler content. The amount of h‐BN had a mixed effect on the recovery stress of the composite. Thus, PLA/h‐BN composites represent a new research idea to study the influence of a heat‐conducting filler on a shape memory effect in polylactic acid.HighlightsCorrelation between crystallinity, thermal and shape memory properties was describedDecrease in thermal conductivity was observed with the large percentage of fillingThe composite with 2 wt% of h‐BN exhibits optimal characteristics of SMERecovery strain decreased with the rise of filler contentAmount of h‐BN had a non‐trivial effect on the recovery stress of composite