Thermoplastic starch

摘要

The thermoplastics processing of natural hydrophlic polymers in the presence of water is a recent development with very wide possible applications. Eventually, oil-based polymer materials could be replaced in many applications by inexpensive, natural products from renewable resources. As with conventional thermoplastics, hydrophilic polymer melts may be processed by injection moulding and extrusion. The present contribution focuses on the injection moulding of potato starch. The basis of the processing and the thermal changes occurring during processing are described. In addition, the rheological behaviour of the starch-water melts during processing is analysed quantitatively to give apparent melt viscosities. The thermal and mechanical properties of moulded starch materials and the drug delivery behaviour of starch capsules are discussed.