Síntesis y caracterización de un polímero biodegradable a partir del almidón de yuca

Abstract

In the present research a biodegradable polymer was elaborated from manioc starch, based on the Taguchi methodology as the experiment design tool. The sweet manioc starch was mixed with chemical reagents acting as plastifiers, extensors, thickeners, lubricants, moisturizers, and mold releasing agents, varying the experimental conditions as indicated by the experiment design. The different mixtures underwent several processes common to conventional polymers in an open mill, an injection machine, and a vulcanizing press. The experimental process gave as a result six polymeric samples of adequate characteristics, all of which were subjected to physical, chemical, and mechanical properties and biodegradation measurement.