Examination of starch preprocess drying and water absorption of injection-molded starch-filled poly(lactic acid) products

This article focuses on the drying of native maize starch before compounding with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and on the water absorption of injection‐molded starch‐filled PLA products. The mass loss of starch was examined while drying in a vented oven at various temperatures, and a proposal was made fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer engineering and science 2011-05, Vol.51 (5), p.843-850
Main Authors: KOVACS, J. G, TABI, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biopolymers
Carbohydrates
Chemical properties
Composition
Drying
Drying ovens
Exact sciences and technology
Injection molding
Injection moulding
Lactic acid
Machinery and processing
Mathematical models
Mechanical properties
Moisture absorption
Moulding
Plastics
Polylactic acid
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Proposals
Starches
Technology of polymers
Tensile strength
Uptakes
Water absorption
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Summary:This article focuses on the drying of native maize starch before compounding with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and on the water absorption of injection‐molded starch‐filled PLA products. The mass loss of starch was examined while drying in a vented oven at various temperatures, and a proposal was made for complete drying. A temperature‐dependent mathematical model was established to describe the moisture loss of native starch. The dried starch was mixed with PLA, compounded with a twin‐screw extruder, and finally injection‐molded into 80 × 80 mm2 area, 2‐mm‐thick flat specimens. These specimens were placed into distilled water to analyze the water uptake and the change in mechanical properties and deformation caused by water uptake for 1 month. Another mathematical model was established to describe the water absorption of the specimens. With the proper drying of starch and PLA, a 30 wt% starch content PLA product was injection‐molded with significantly higher tensile strength compared with literature data. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
ISSN:0032-3888
1548-2634
DOI:10.1002/pen.21900