Abstract
During the last decades, there has been a continuous increase in the production of commodity plastic products because of their low production cost, excellent mechanical properties, as well as chemical, weather and biodegradation resistance. The duration of use of plastic materials is relatively short compared to their life time; it ranges from several months to few years, depending on the conditions of use and environment. Now a day the scientific world is focusing is the development of starch based composites. These materials are available largely from natural resources and are 100% degradable. This chapter presents a brief description about the different biodegradable matrices as well as the different components, structures, transformations and properties of starch-based matrices and biofibers. The reinforcing effect of macro-fibers s well as like nano fibers like whiskers or nanocrystals on starch as matrix will be discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Polymers and Composites |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 37-84 |
| Number of pages | 48 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781612092645 |
| State | Published - Feb 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science