This first book on this new green material collates all the information hitherto scattered in journal articles and on websites, thus meeting the application-oriented needs of the reader.The contents stretch between many important areas, such as production and applications of biopolymeric material, fundamental knowledge and practical applications, and includes valuable experimental case studies, which can be directly used in industrial practice.All the data satisfies EU environmental regulations, which are the most stringent worldwide.

PrefaceBIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS AND THEIR PRACTICAL UTILITYNatural PolymersPolymers with Hydrolyzable BackbonesPolymers with Carbon BackbonesPractical Applications of Biodegradable PolymersBLENDS OF NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC POLYMERSIntroductionStarch in Blends with PolymersMechanical Properties of Starch/Polymer BlendsCompatibilizersConclusionsBIODEGRADABILITY AND COMPOSTABILITY OF BIOPOLYMERSDefinitions and NormsBiodegradability of Starch-Based ProductsBiodegradability of PolyestersPhoto-Biodegradable PlasticsControlled Degradation Additive MasterbatchesMethods of Biodegradability MeasurementEnvironmental Aspects of BiopolymersTPS AND ITS NATUREStructure and PropertiesGlass Transition TemperatureMechanical Properties of GranulatesConclusionsTHE MELTING PROCESS IN THERMOPLASTIC STARCHESIntroductionMelting ProcessInfluence of Plasticizers on Melting Behavior of StarchConclusionsEXTRUDERSIntroductionSingle-Screw ExtrudersPin ExtrudersClosely Intermeshing Twin-Screw ExtrudersSelf-Wiping Twin-Screw ExtrudersNon-Intermeshing Twin-Screw ExtrudersInfluence of Low-Viscosity Monomeric FeedThe Mathematic of ExtrusionConcluding RemarksEXTRUSION-COOKING OF TPSProcess StabilitySpecific Mechanical EnergyConclusionsINFLUENCE OF PROCESS CONDITIONS ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TPSPlasticizersExtrusion of Thermoplastic StarchTest MethodsGlass Transition TemperatureTensile StrengthImpact StrengthShrinkageConclusionTPS FILM-BLOWINGMechanical Properties of FilmsConcluding RemarksINJECTION-MOLDINGScrew Injection MoldingInjection-Molding ParametersInjection Technology Use and Development TrendsReinforced Injection-MoldingApplication of Natural Fibers in Processing of BiopolymersChemical Modification of FibersINFLUENCE OF ADDITION OF FIBER ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TPS MOLDINGSTheory of ReinforcementsExperimental Data on Fiber-Reinforced TPSCritical Fiber LengthMechanical PropertiesConclusionsSTORAGE AND BIODEGRADABILITY OF TPS MOLDINGSThe Influence of Low Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties of TPS MoldingsEvaluation of Biodegradability of TPS MoldingsConcluding RemarksSCALING-UP OF THERMOPLASTIC STARCH EXTRUSIONIntroductionBasic AnalysisSummary of Equations UsedKinematic SimilarityGeometrical SimilarityMotor Power and TorqueEqual Average End TemperatureSimilar Temperature ProfilesSimilarity in Residence TimesGuidelines for Scaling