Claims
- 1. A method for producing biodegradable starch-based blown films, said method consisting of the steps of:
- blending together in a first mixture unprocessed raw starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and talc;
- blending together in a second mixture glycerol and water;
- combining said first mixture and said second mixture;
- and processing said combination with a single heat cycle and with a twin screw mixer into blown film.
- 2. A method for producing a completely biodegradable starch-based blown film, said method consisting of the steps of:
- blending together in a first mixture unprocessed raw starch, a polymeric vinyl alcohol, and a nucleating agent;
- blending together in a second mixture glycerol and water;
- combining said first mixture and said second mixture;
- and processing said combination with a single heat cycle into a blown film.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said polymeric vinyl alcohol is polyvinyl alcohol.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said polymeric vinyl alcohol is ethylene vinyl alcohol.
- 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said nucleating agent is talc.
- 6. The method of claim 2, wherein said nucleating agent is zinc stearate.
- 7. The method of claim 2, wherein said nucleating agent is calcium stearate.
- 8. The method of claim 2, wherein said processing utilizes a twin-screw mixer.
Government Interests
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the Government for Governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.
US Referenced Citations (29)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Stenhouse et al., "Blown Film From Starch/Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) and Starchhylene-Vinyl Alcohol Blends," Am. Chem. Soc. Preprint 33: 532-533, (Aug. 17, 1992). |
Pool, "Wooden You Love Biodegradable Plastics?," Science 257: 1479-1480 Sep. 1992. |