Optimizing the thermoforming process of thermoplastic starch/polystyrene blends

ANDRÉS TORRES NICOLINI; MARÍA PAULA GUARÁS; VERA ALVAREZ; LEANDRO LUDUEÑA

Buenos Aires

Workshop; II Workshop Polímeros Biodegradables y Biocompuestos ? III Workshop of the Project BIOPURFIL, Bio-based Polyurethane Composite whit Natural Fillers Biopoli 2015; 2015

INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA DE MATERIALES (INTEMA) ; (CONICET - UNMDP)

Thermoforming is a high-deformation rate process in which a plastic sheet of polymeric material is deformed by heating up to a temperature above its glass transition to form a three-dimensional object. In recent times, the development of thermoplastic starch (TPS) based products has a growing interest, since starch is a fully biodegradable and environmental friendly material [1]. Nevertheless, the TPS is a material which usually has low stability in high moisture conditions, has a fragile nature and is hard to be thermoformed [2]. Blending TPS with other polymers has been commonly used to improve processability. Polystyrene (PS) is a polymer that has been widely used in thermoformed products for packaging applications. TPS/PS blends could meet partial biodegradability, mechanical properties stability, ductility and improved processability focusing on thermoforming.