Processability and Properties of Biodegradable Plastics Made From Agricultural Biopolymers

J. U. Otaigbe

Dept. of Materials Engineering

Iowa State University,

Ames,IA, USA

Annual Technical Conference - Society of Plastics Engineers

Abstract

Biodegradable thermoplastic compns. and processing methods for making plastic articles reproducibly from soy protein isolate [PRO-Fam 646] and corn starch were developed. The biodegradable soy protein-starch plastic can be extruded and injection molded into articles of various shapes and sizes; glycerol is used as plasticizer. The thermal and mech. properties of the plastic indicate that it may be useful in many applications where the plastic must biodegrade in an environmentally-benign manner after service. Blending the plastic with polyphosphates greatly reduced water sensitivity, allowing uses in moist and load-bearing environments.