I. Introduction of Starch-Based Buffer Material

The starch-based buffer material is made of the degradable natural starch or modified starch as the basic raw material, optionally with other auxiliary ingredients. It is produced by screw extrusion molding process. Starch-based buffer materials are degradable, antistatic and inexpensive to produce, making them an excellent alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic cushioning materials.

II. Parameters of 200-250 kg/h Starch-Based Buffer Material Extrusion Process Machine

III. Features

• Finished Food Quality Ensured: Optimal extrusion solution, premium equipment design, and equipment processing ensure high-level and stable production.
• High Output: High designed capacity; minimal material loss;
• Less Energy: High mechanical coordination, low wear; optimized heating, thermal transfer& insulation details, low heat loss
• Low Production Cost: Flow production, precise control of each process
• Simple and Low Cost Maintenance: Modular structure, easy operation. Lifetime after-sales service
• Safe Material: High-quality food-safe materials for all food contact part
• Failure Rate:  Nearly zero failure as long as preventive maintenance

IV. The General Flow Chart for Starch-Based Buffer Material

• Step 1: Mixing
• Step 2: Extrusion (With heating and cooling function)
• Step 3: Drying
• Step 4: Measuring and packing

Starch-based buffer material extrusion process are as follows:

Raw starch (one or a combination of corn/rice/wheat/cassava starch, or the corresponding modified starch) is mixed with a certain amount of water evenly. The water content is usually 14-20%. 2) Other auxiliary materials such as corn fiber, straw powder or high molecular polymers can also be added to prepare buffer materials with different characteristics. 3) The material is gelatinized under the correct temperature, pressure and shear force in the twin-screw extruder. 4) The gelatinized startch is extruded through a die. Due to the pressure and temperature difference between the inside and outside of the screw, the moisture in the extruded product evaporates rapidly, and the extruded product rapidly expands into a foam-like material with the required density and elasticity. 5) Then, the puffed granules are dried to optimize the moisture content.

Only a small amount of water is added during the whole production process, and the temperature of 120-160°C can be maintained by using internal frictional heat. However, when with different extrusion temperatures, different starch raw materials have different expansion degrees or densities. Therefore, the extruder barrel is usually equipped with cooling and heating zones to achieve precise temperature control to meet diversified production demands.

V. Components of Starch-Based Buffer Material Extrusion Process Machine

1. High Speed Mixer
2. Twin-screw extruder
3. Chiller
4. Drying machine
5. Automatic packing system
6. Controlling system (PLC/or instrument control options)
7. Complete conveyors

VI. More

Flexibility:

• Material: The screw extrusion method is suitable for a variety of natural or modified starches, and the raw materials are rich in sources, including grain starches like corn starch, rice starch, wheat starch, and root starches like tapioca starch. It is also suitable for various auxiliary materials such as corn fiber, wood flour, vegetable oil, seaweed, etc. Natural or artificial colors can also be added to obtain different colored finished products.
• Various texture: Process parameters (temperature, pressure, screw speed, etc.) can be flexibly set to match different starch raw materials and different expansion requirements, so as to produce starch-based buffer materials with required textures and characteristics for different shockproof demands.
• Shapes: Different extrusion dies can be configured to produce cushioning materials of different shapes and sizes, such as spheres, cylinders, ellipsoids, irregular bodies, particles, etc.

Potentiality

• If add a set of pulse crushing device, this starch buffer processing machine can also produce various pregelatinized starch, including food grade, construction material grade, fragrance grade, briquet grade, petroleum grade, feed grade, medical grade and other pregelatinized starches.