Biodegradability,mechanical, and thermal properties of thermoplastic starch/cuttlebone composites

This work focused on improvements to the properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS) by using cuttlebone (CB) as the bio‐filler. The effect of CB on the properties of TPS was compared to that of commercial calcium carbonate (CC). The good adhesion achieved between the TPS matrix and the cuttlebone powder produced improvements in the tensile strength of their composites, whereas the tensile strength of TPS/CC composite was lower due to the presence of filler agglomerates. The biodegradation of the TPS and the composites were analyzed by the soil burial test. This showed that cuttlebone decreased the biodegradation rate. The thermal degradation temperatures of TPS, a TPS/CC composite and a TPS/CB composite showed very similar behavior. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1401–1406, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Novel biocomposites based on wheat gluten and rubber wood sawdust

Rubber wood sawdust (RWS) was used as a reinforcement for wheat gluten based bioplastics. The RWS content was varied from 0, 5, 10, 15–20 wt %. Effects of the RWS content on the morphology, water absorption, mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties of the wheat gluten based bioplastic were investigated. An addition of RWS caused an improvement of the tensile strength and water resistance of the wheat gluten based bioplastics. Scanning electron micrograph of the wheat gluten/RWS composites with a 10 wt % of RWS revealed a good dispersion and uniform embedding of the RWS within the wheat gluten matrix. Agglomeration of RWS was observed when the RWS loads were increased (15 and 20 wt %). The biodegradation process of the composites depended on the amount of RWS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43705.