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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173325
Title: BLENDS OF POLYLACTIDE WITH THERMOPLASTIC STARCH

Author
item SARAZIN, PIERCE - CRASP, MONTREAL, CANADA
item HUNEAULT, MICHAEL - BOUCHERVILLE, CANADA
item Orts, William
item FAVIS, BASIL - CRASP, MONTREAL, CANADA

Submitted to: Society of Plastics Engineers Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2005
Publication Date: 5/5/2005
Citation: Sarazin, P., Huneault, M., Orts, W.J., Favis, B. Blends of polylactide with thermoplastic starch. Society of Plastics Engineers Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Starch, one of the world's most abundant natural polymers, has some positive attributes that would make it a useful biodegradable plastic, but it generally lacks mechanical "toughness" and water resistance. Blends of polylactide with thermoplastic starch were prepared using a one-step extrusion process. These blends, which were subsequently processed into test plastics via injection molding, possess interesting properties. The tensile properties correlate directly with the amount of starch blended, but are within a range similar to polypropylene and other polymers used in packaging. These materials posess the added advantages of being fully biodegradable and derived from renewable resources.

Technical Abstract: Blends of polylactide with thermoplastic starch were prepared using a one-step extrusion process. These blends, which were subsequently processed into test plastics via injection molding, possess interesting properties. The tensile properties correlate directly with the amount of starch blended, but are within a range similar to polypropylene and other polymers used in packaging. These materials posess the added advantages of being fully biodegradable and derived from renewable resources.