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In this work we studied the thermoplastic starch incorporation on physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of ternary blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactide (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). The TPS worked was obtaining from cassava starch and it was plasticized with 30 % (w/w) of glycerol using the extrusion technology. Five different percentages (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % w/w) of TPS were varying, maintaining constant the relation PLLA/PCL at 70:30. It was found that the binary blend PLLA/PCL was non-miscible and the polycaprolactone was the continua phase, with the TPS incorporation the mechanical strength and tensile modulus were reduced proportionally to the TPS added, also the moisture absorption was increasing and thermal stability was reduced in the ternary blends with the TPS incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was evaluated the morphological surface of thermoplastic starch (TPS) obtained from three modified cassava starch varieties, plasticizer and an antimicrobial agent. The films was made by blown extrusion and extended over a slide and then was taken photomicrographs with 4x and 10x objectives. It was used High Resolution Optical Microscopy to image characterization. The technique showed the effect of plasticizer addition over the starch films microstructure, it was found some inhomogeneity; however was identified some smooth regions related to form and size of starch granule, plasticizer concentration and extrusion variables process like velocity screw and temperature profile. This research contributed to characterize microstructural properties and gave some insights about the mechanical behaviour of TPS films, needed to study and make biodegradable films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]