Processing of Plastic Film from Potato Starch: Effect of Drying Methods

Starch-based plastics are biodegradable, compostable compounds made of starch and plasticizers from natural sources. Their fabrication involves the starch-plasticizer reaction at 70–100°C followed by cooling drying. Th e most common drying method is air (natural convection), which effective but slow. objective this work to study effect fast (forced convection) on quality plastic film. compares effects conditions rate warpage, shrinkage rate, presence bubbles. Five methods studied: (1) convection with uncovered petri dish, (2) while hanging, (3) forced covered (4) (5) hybrid convection. A standardized composition starch-based prepared. Samples 20 g deposited 10-cm-diameter dishes Drying rates determined recording mass diameter multiple time intervals. digital microscope used observe The favorable was a displayed 0.765 g/h, no significant (< 0.00 mm/h), warping, almost