Increasing interest in bio-based polymers and fibers has led to the development of several alternatives to conventional plastics and fibers made of these materials. Biopolymer fibers can be made from renewable, environmentally friendly resources and can be fully biodegradable. Biogenic resources with a high content of carbohydrates such as starch-containing plants have huge potentials to substitute conventional synthetic plastics in a number of applications. Much literature is available on the production and modification of starch-based fibers and blends of starch with other polymers. Chemistry and structure–property relationships of starch show that it can be used as an attractive source of raw material which can be exploited for conversion into a number of high-value bio-based products. In this review, possible spinning techniques for the development of virgin starch or starch/polymer blend fibers and their products are discussed. Beneficiation of starch for the development of bio-based fibers can result in the sustainable replacement of oil-based high-value materials with cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and abundant products.

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Recent research has shown that the resistance against crack initiation and propagation of polyethylene blown films depends on density, chain branching and crystal orientation next to the processing parameters. To assess low-density polyethylene blown film fracture toughness with different thicknesses, the essential work of fracture method has been conducted in this study. The thickness of the investigated low-density polyethylene films was regulated by the draw down ratio, which causes low-density polyethylene crystal orientation with the chain axis parallel to the machine direction at higher draw down ratios, influencing mechanical parameters and the fracture toughness. The crystal orientation was measured by X-ray diffraction. Blown films with thicknesses equal to or greater than 200 mm exhibit no preferred orientation, which is consistent with various calculated mechanical and fracture mechanics parameters. Films of less than 200 mm thickness show preferred machine direction crystal orientation and a distinct thickness influence on mechanical and fracture mechanics parameters.

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