Predicting mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch films with artificial intelligence techniques

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have similar physicochemical properties than conventional polymers, but they can be degradable under controlled conditions in less than 180 days. Thermoplastic starch films have a relative importance because of their low cost, high production and good processability by conventional techniques like melt blending, compression molding, extrusion, among others. However, they present several drawbacks (poor mechanical properties, high water vapor permeability, and retrogradation) that limit their industrial applications. In the present paper, we developed a computer tool, which employs artificial