ARS | Publication request: PROPERTIES OF FIBER-REINFORCED EXTRUDED STARCH-BASED FOAM

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 5, 2006
Publication Date: July 5, 2006
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Klamczynski, A., Ludvik, C.N., Chiou, B., Holtman, K.M., Imam, S.H., Orts, W.J. 2006. Properties of fiber-reinforced extruded starch-based foam. 232 American Chemical Society Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006, Paper No 1010944.

Technical Abstract: A two-phase method for making fiber-reinforced compositions was developed to achieve uniform fiber dispersion in the composite matrix. The first phase involved mixing together water, fibers, and a portion of pregelatinized starch to form a viscous composition. The high viscosity imparted by the starch effectively dispersed the fibers during a fifteen minute mixing process. In the second phase, additional starch and additives were mixed into the dispersed mixture. The starch composition was extruded through a rod die, dried to less than 20% moisture content and pelletized. The dried pellets were conditioned to moisture contents ranging from 5-15% and extruded at 130°C through a 2 mm rod die to form an expanded fiber-reinforced starch-based foam. The density, tensile strength and compressive strength of the foam were dependent on the moisture content of the pellets. Tensile strength, resiliency and moisture resistance were improved by adding ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer to the composition.