BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER SYSTEMS BASED ON RE NEWABLE RAW-MATERIALS - CHANCES AND LIMITATIONS

This contribution describes formulation and preparation concepts for t he generation of biodegradable polymer systems under the inclusion of growing-again raw materials. The incorporation of native starch into a liphatic polyurethanes as well as the degradation behaviour of such fi lled systems will be discussed. In a Further chapter, concepts for the generation of thermoplastic starch using a twin-screw kneader, will b e presented. These destructurized polysaccharides can form the polymer matrix of flaxfibre reinforced composites. The preparation of polymer blends, composed of thermoplastic starch and biodegradable synthetic thermoplastics leads to competitive two-phase polymers including a rem arkable potential of development. As a result of close-meshed structur e/property interrelationships, the morphology formation during the com pounding process is of utmost importance. Dimensionless characteristic s will be presented that can be used to estimate and to assess the res ulting phase structures.