Physical Properties of Pulp Extrudates Mixed with Expanding Additives

Extrusion process and physical properties of extrudates of pulp powder (TMP, thermomechanical pulp fibers) mixed with expanding additives was evaluated to develop biodegradable packaging materials. To find out the optimum condition, the status of extrusion process, coefficient of elastic and expansion ratio of extrudates were tested on the composites (wheat flour, soluble starch, polyvinyl alcohol), blending conditions of composites and moisture contents of extrudates. In case of material composition, wheat flour played a key role to keep extrusion process irrespective of the added amounts of soluble starch and polyvinyl alcohol. The coefficient of elastic of extrudates was increased and the expansion ratio was reduced as the added amounts of wheat flour increased. Also, the coefficient of elastic of extrudates was decreased as the moisture content of extrudates increased. The lowest coefficient of elastic was 439.55 kPa under the condition, of pulp powder mixed with of wheat flour based on pulp weight and of soluble starch based on wheat flour weight and controlled (wb) of moisture content.