Melt processable starch compositions
First Claim
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1. A composition comprising:
- (a) from about 50 wt % to about 70 wt % of a starch;
(b) from about 30 wt % to about 50 wt % of water; and
(c) a high polymer selected from the group consisting of;
polyacrylamide and its derivatives;
polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and their esters;
polyvinyl alcohol;
polyethyleneimine;
copolymers made from mixtures of monomers of the aforementioned polymers; and
mixtures thereof;
wherein the composition has a melt shear viscosity of less than about 50 Pa·
s.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a starch composition comprising starch, a polymer that is substantially compatible with starch and has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 500,000 such that the polymer forms effective entanglements or associations with neighboring starch molecules, and preferably at least one additive to improve melt flow and melt processability. The additive may be a hydroxyl plasticizer, a hydroxyl-free plasticizer, a diluent, or mixtures thereof. The composition is melt processable on conventional thermoplastic equipment. The composition is especially suitable for uniaxial and biaxial extensional processes to make fibers, films, foams and like products.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A composition comprising:
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(a) from about 50 wt % to about 70 wt % of a starch; (b) from about 30 wt % to about 50 wt % of water; and (c) a high polymer selected from the group consisting of;
polyacrylamide and its derivatives;
polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and their esters;
polyvinyl alcohol;
polyethyleneimine;
copolymers made from mixtures of monomers of the aforementioned polymers; and
mixtures thereof;wherein the composition has a melt shear viscosity of less than about 50 Pa·
s. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A process for preparing a composition, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing from about 50 wt % to about 70 wt % of a starch; (b) providing from about 30 wt % to about 50 wt % of water; and (c) a high polymer selected from the group consisting of;
polyacrylamide and its derivatives;
polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and their esters;
polyvinyl alcohol;
polyethyleneimine;
copolymers made from mixtures of monomers of the aforementioned polymer; and
mixtures thereof;(d) mixing the starch, water and high polymer together to form a composition having a melt shear viscosity of less than about 50 Pa·
s. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A substantially homogeneous composition comprising:
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(a) from about 20 to about 99.99 wt % of a starch; and (b) from about 0.001 to about 10 wt % of a high polymer selected from the group consisting of;
polyacrylamide and its derivatives;
polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and their esters;
polyvinyl alcohol;
polyethyleneimine;
copolymers made from mixtures of monomers of the aforementioned polymers; and
mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A process for preparing a composition, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing from about 20 to about 99.99 wt % of a starch; (b) providing from about 0.001 to about 10 wt % of a high polymer selected from the group consisting of;
polyacrylamide and its derivatives;
polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and their esters;
polyvinyl alcohol;
polyethyleneimine;
copolymers made from mixtures of monomers of the aforementioned polymers; and
mixtures thereof; and(c) mixing the starch and high polymer together to form a substantially homogeneous composition.
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Specification