ARS | Publication request: BIODEGRADABLE STARCH-POLY(HYDROXY ESTER ETHER) COMPOSITES

Submitted to: Annual Meeting of the Bio Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 20, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A new family of biodegradable composites has been developed by compounding granular starch with poly(hydroxy ester ethers). Starch contents of greater than 50% by weight have been achieved without unacceptable loss of mechanical properties. The matrix resins are formed by the reaction of diepoxides with difunctional carboxylic acids, giving a wide range of mechanical properties and Tgs. Under appropriate processing conditions, the resins exhibit adhesion to the starch granule surface, resulting in superior stress transfer during tensile deformation. This high level of adhesion leads to fracture processes dominated by granule deformation, and not by debonding as observed in prior starch-filled composites. Suitably formulated materials have tensile, impact, and heat deflection properties comparable to general purpose polystyrene and are fully biodegradable. (Research conducted under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement 58-3K95-4-305 between Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation and ARS.)