Processing of Biodegradable Composites: Potato Starch Polymers with Natural Fibre Reinforcement
Fernando G. Torres, E. Machicao, O. Arroyo
POLYCOM - PUCP / Catholic University of Peru
PERU

Keywords: processing, biodegradable, composites

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In the past years, there has been an increased tendency into using natural vegetable fibres as a reinforcement for thermoplastics. Particularly, this has been the case in the automotive industry, where properties, such as specific strength (strength/density) and modulus (modulus/density), are of great importance. In those cases, obtaining equal or better properties compared to glass fibre reinforced thermoplastics, but at lower weights, has been one of the main reasons for the use of natural fibre reinforcements. Moreover, the "green" character of these reinforcement materials, which may be produced from renewable resources, is an additional advantage. A further step to this tendency consists in producing 100% biodegradable composites. In this paper the production of starch based natural fibre reinforced composites is described. The starch polymers have been obtained from dried potato powder, which is water soluble. These materials can be processed in solution or with the help of modifying agents. Natural fibres have been used as discrete and continuous reinforcements for the starch based polymers. Results from different processing techniques, including compression and rotational moulding, are presented. Degradation and water absorption tests have also been included.