Modelling of thermoforming processes for bio-degradable thermoplastic materials

Abstract

Thin walled container structures have for decades been manufactured from oil based polymeric materials using thermoforming processes. Since the 1980's computational modelling has been used to simulate and aid in the development of these processes. Oil based materials are not eco-friendly, as they do not degrade after use and cause problems of waste. We report here on the computational modelling, using solid mechanics and elasto-plastic deformation, of the thermoforming of food packaging structures made from starch based (bio-degradable) biomaterials. It is shown that, with limited data, it is possible to predict satisfactorily the wall thickness of thermoformed structures. This work was undertaken in BICOM in collaboration with engineering colleagues at Brunel University London, and in association with companies from the polymer industry to provide technical information for their customers.