Abstract: The invention relates to an at least two-layer polyester film with a total thickness of from about 5 to about 200 ?m which comprises polyethylene terephthalate and from about 2 to about 20% by weight—based on the weight of the entire film—of polyethylene naphthalate, and also at least one functional outer layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coextruded, transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film comprising a base layer (B) and a heatsealable top layer (A) which is peelable from at least CPET, the heatsealable and peelable top layer (A) consisting of a) 80–98 % by weight of polyester and b) 2–10 % by weight of inorganic and/or organic particles having an average diameter d50 of from 2.5 to 12.0 ?m (based on the mass of the top layer (A)), wherein c) the polyester is composed of 12–89 mol % of units derived from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and 11–88 mol % of units derived from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the sum of the dicarboxylic acid-derived molar percentages being 100, d) the ratio of particle diameter d50 and layer thickness dA of the top layer (A) being greater than/equal to 1.0 and e) the layer thickness of the top layer (A) dA being from 2.3 to 10.0 ?m. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film and to its use.

Abstract: Coextruded, biaxially oriented polyester films which have a base layer (B) and have a heatsealable outer layer (A) that can be peeled from APET/CPET and from CPET, where the outer layer (A) includes a) from 80 to 98% by weight of polyester and b) from 2 to 10% by weight of inorganic and/or organic particles with a median diameter d50 of from 3 to 12 ?m, and where c) the polyester is composed of from 12 to 89 mol % of units derived from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and of from 11 to 88 mol % of units derived from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and d) the ratio calculated from the particle size d50 of the particles and the layer thickness dA of the outer layer (A) is greater than or equal to 1.5, and the shrinkage of the films, at least in one direction, is more than 5%. The films of the invention are especially suitable, owing to their property of self-venting, as a lid film for APET/CPET or CPET trays.

Abstract: Coextruded, biaxially oriented polyester films which have a base layer (B) and have a heatsealable outer layer (A) that can be peeled from APET/CPET and from CPET, where the outer layer (A) comprises from 80 to 99% by weight of polyester and from 1 to 10% by weight of inorganic and/or organic particles with a median diameter d50 of from 2.5 to 12 ?m, and where the polyester is composed of from 12 to 89 mol % of units derived from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and of from 11 to 88 mol % of units derived from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and the ratio calculated from the particle size d50 of the particles and the layer thickness dA of the outer layer (A) is ?1, and the base layer (B) comprises poly(-xyleneadipamide). The films of the invention are suitable, owing to their increased oxygen barrier, as a packaging material for foods and other consumable goods or as a lid film for APET/CPET or CPET trays.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented polyester films formed from a crystallizable polyester having increased diethylene glycol content and/or increased polyethylene glycol content, and/or increased isophthalic acid content, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The films of the invention further include at least one IR-reflective pigment and one UV stabilizer. The inventive films feature adjustable mattness, diffuse scattering power for visible light, high light transmittance and IR reflectance and good thermoformability, and are suitable for thermally protective coatings or thermally protective packaging.

Abstract: Multilayer, biaxially oriented polyester films which include as a constituent of the base layer B, a crystallizable polyester with increased diethylehe glycol content and/or increased polyethylene glycol content, and/or increased isophthalic acid content, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The outer layers of the inventive films advantageously include at least one IR-reflective pigment and one UV stabilizer. The inventive films advantageously feature adjustable mattness, diffuse scattering power for visible light, high light transmittance, IR reflectance, and good thermoformability, and are suitable for thermally protective coatings or thermally protective packaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a white, biaxially oriented film which comprises a crystallizable thermoplastic as main componet and is characterized by further comprising at least one UV-stabilizer, at least one white pigment and at least one flame-proofing agent, which is soluble in the thermoplastic and introduced directly, during the film production, by masterbatch technology, whereby the masterbatch is pre-conditioned by gradual heating under reduced pressure and with stirring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coextruded, transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film comprising a base layer (B) and a heatsealable top layer (A) which is peelable from at least the APET side of an APET/CPET tray, the heatsealable and peelable top layer (A) consisting of a) 50–95% by weight of polyester and b) 5–40% by weight of a polyester-incompatible polymer (=anti-PET polymer) based on the mass of the top layer (A), wherein c) the polyester is composed of 20–95 mol % of units derived from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and 5–80 mol % of units derived from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and d) the layer thickness dA is from 1.3 to 3.0 ?m. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film and to its use.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented, co-extruded polyester films comprising a base layer consisting of at least 90 wt. % thermoplastic polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), at least one sealable outer layer and a second non-sealable outer layer and, optionally, other intermediate layers, in addition to at least one flame-retardant agent, preferably organic phosphorous compounds. The inventive films are characterized by low inflammability, high UV stability, no embrittlement when subjected to thermal stress and a surface which is devoid of troublesome opacity. They are suitable for a multiplicity of uses both indoors and outside. The outer layers contain anti-blocking agents such as silicic acid having an average particle diameter of preferably less than 50 nm and/or 2 ?m. Preferably, the sealable outer layer consists of a copolyester which is made of ethylene terephthalate and ethylene isophthalate units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single- or multilayer, white, biaxially oriented polyester film. Films of the invention are formed from thermoplastic polyester and are coated on at least one side with a water-soluble adhesion-promoting layer that includes a hydrolyzed amino-functional silane. The invention further relates to the use of the film and to a process for its production.

Abstract: Disclosed are biaxially oriented polyester film produced from a polyester comprising: (1) diacid residues comprising at least 90 mole percent of terephthalic acid residues, naphthalenedicarboylic acid residues or combinations thereof; and (2) diol residues comprising at least 90 mole percent of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the polyester comprises a total of 100 mole percent diacid residues and a total of 100 mole percent diol residues; wherein the polyester film is stretched at a ratio of about 2.5× to 3× in the machine direction (MD) and about 2.5× to 3× in the transverse direction (TD) at stretching temperatures between 90 and 1 10OC, wherein the stretched film is subsequently heat-set at an actual film temperature of from 260° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coextruded, transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film comprising a base layer (B) and a heatsealable top layer (A) which is peelable with respect to at least CPET. The heatsealable and peelable top layer (A) consists of a) 70–97% by weight of polyester and b) 3–20% by weight of a polyester-incompatible polymer (=anti-PET polymer) based on the mass of the top layer (A), wherein c) the polyester is composed of 20–95 mol % of units derived from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and 5–80 mol % of units derived from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the sum of the dicarboxylic acid-derived molar percentages being 100, and d) the layer thickness of the top layer (A) dA is from 1.7 to 6.0 ?m. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film and to its use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coextruded, transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film comprising a base layer (B) and a heatsealable top layer (A) which is peelable from at least APET, the heatsealable and peelable top layer (A) consisting of a) 60–97% by weight of polyester and b) 3–30% by weight of a polyester-incompatible polymer (=anti-PET polymer), based on the mass of the top layer (A), wherein c) the polyester being composed of 25–95 mol % of units which derive from at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and 5–75 mol % of units which derive from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the sum of the dicarboxylic acid-derived molar percentages being 100, and d) the layer thickness of the top layer (A) dA being from 0.7 to 2.5 ?m.

Abstract: Polyester films which comprise not only thermoplastic polyester, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate, but also from 5 to 45% by weight of poly(m-xyleneadipamide) and optionally from 0.02 to 1% by weight of fillers, and which have, on at least one surface, an adhesion-promoting layer comprised of a hydrolyzed amino-functional silane. The films of the invention are produced by a sequential stretching process, and feature improved mechanical properties, such as a modulus of elasticity greater than 3500 N/mm2 in both orientation directions, high gloss, low haze, and very good barrier properties with respect to oxygen transmission. Films of the invention are therefore a suitable packaging material for foods and other consumable items, and as starting material for production of laminates via extrusion coating.

Abstract: Biodegradable starch-based extruded products and methods of manufacturing those products are provided. In particular, extruded starch products processed by compression, stretching or compression and stretching provide excellent flexibility, pliability, dimensional stability, resiliency, abrasion resistance and other properties making them attractive for use as packaging materials.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented polyester films which have at least one polyester-containing base layer (B) and at least one matt overlayer (A), the overlayer (A) comprising particles, preferably SiO2, which have a median diameter of from 2 to 10 ?m and have a SPAN98 of ?2, and the overlayer (A) comprising a polyester which has isophthalic acid units, feature in particular low opacity, high transparency, low gloss of the overlayer (A) and high processing reliability, and are therefore suitable as flexible packaging films even for use on high-speed packaging machinery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the plastic shaping of a biaxially-drawn film, comprising at least one base layer, containing at least one polymer (I), made from at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid and ?0.2 wt %, based on the weight of the layer, of a thermoplastic polymer (II), different from polymer (I). Said film is plastically moulded by application of pneumatic and/or mechanical forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film composed of at least one base layer (B) which comprises at least 80% by weight of thermoplastic polyester, and of, applied to this base layer (B), a transparent, high-gloss outer layer (A). The outer layer (A) of the invention comprises a specific pigment system which provides improved winding of the film and leads to a highly transparent film with a high-gloss surface (A). The invention further relates to a process for producing the film. The film may be used as a packaging film, in particular for metalizing or for ceramic coating, or for applications in the industrial sector, e.g. as a substrate for stamping films, and in particular to its use on high-speed packaging machinery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film which comprises at least 80% by weight of thermoplastic polyester and also comprises an amount in the range from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of a specific pigment system. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film. The film can be used as a packaging film, or for metalizing or ceramic coating, and in applications in the industrial sector, as a substrate for stamping foils.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer, oriented film, in which at least one layer comprises a polyester which comprises an additive which, on irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, forms metal nuclei on which further metal can be deposited in further steps of the process. The invention further relates to a process for the production of this film and to its use in printed circuit boards, ribbon cables, smart cards, RFID labels, membrane keyboards, and film-based circuits of any type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-layer, oriented polyester film where the polyester comprises an additive which on irradiation with electromagnetic radiation forms metal nuclei on which further metal can be accumulated during further steps of the process. The invention further relates to a process for producing this film and to its use in printed circuit boards, ribbon cables, smart cards, RFID labels, membrane keyboards, and film-based circuits, of any type.

Abstract: The use of a heat-stabilized, heat-set oriented film comprising poly(ethylene naphthalate) as a substrate in, or in the manufacture of, an electronic or opto-electronic device containing a conjugated conductive polymer, wherein said film has a shrinkage at 30 mins at 230° C. of less than 1%; and a composite film comprising such a substrate layer and on a surface thereof a barrier layer.

Abstract: White, biaxially oriented polyester films which have a base layer B which comprises a thermoplastic polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, and which comprise substantially only TiO2 as a white pigment, whose R value is less than 43 daN/mm2, whose emax ratio is less than 2.5 and at least one of whose two surfaces of the film has been provided with an acrylate-containing coating, are particularly tear-resistant and do not tend to delamination and are therefore suitable in particular as lid films for food containers, for example yoghurt cups. A process is described for producing the films.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer, transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film having at least one base layer B composed of a thermoplastic polyester, at least one overlayer A coextruded on the base layer B and at least one acrylic coating D which is applied to the film as an aqueous dispersion. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film and to its use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-component composite separate membrane and a method for preparing the same, and to a multi-component composite membrane comprising a support layer and active layers, wherein the support layer is located between the active layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single- or multilayer, oriented film in which at least one layer is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer having a minimum amount of amide groups. The polymer is a polyester, a polyamide, or a mixture comprised of polyester and polyamide, or is a copolymer comprised of these two materials. The film also comprises a component a) which, when irradiated with electromagnetic or particulate radiation, forms metal nuclei onto which further metal can be accumulated in further steps of the process. The invention also relates to a process for the production of this film, and to its use in printed circuit boards, ribbon cables, smart cards, RFID labels, membrane keyboards, or film-based circuits of any type.

Abstract: A solution casting system has a tentering device, and produces polymer film of cellulose triacetate. Two web edge portions of the polymer film are sucked within a section from a downstream end of the tentering device to a first roller that the polymer film contacts first. Furthermore, the two web edge portions are subjected to blowing of gas, or suction, between the first roller and a second roller positioned next downstream from the first roller. Each range of two web edge portions has an effective size in a web width direction less than 25% of that of the polymer film.

Abstract: This invention involves forward integration of the art paste extrusion process by adding a step to the processing sequence to change the uniaxially-oriented art form to a desirable planar biaxially-oriented form. This invention also involves the backward integration of the resin preparation to reduce the commercial coagulated dispersion resin particle size (average 500 micron) to the size range of colloidal size particles contained within the original 500 micron particle. In this small particulate form, the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin can be blended more homogeneously and extruded with less turbulence in the plug extrusion process, the rheological mechanism of this extrusion process. The size reduction makes processing of micron size fillers possible in up to 90 percent volume of the PTFE resin. This invention also provides a direct and simple method of producing planar biaxially-oriented sheet and a source of resin formulations for fabricating other forms and shapes.

Abstract: A method of making a plastics stretch film comprises the steps of taking a cast or blown film of LLDPE at a temperature of between 50° C. and 100° C., stretching it in two successive stretching steps, the first step having a stretch ratio higher than that of the second step, to cause both plastic and elastic deformation of the film. The film is then relaxed to substantially release all of the elastic deformation and winding the substantially relaxed film into rolls. Preferably, the first stretch ratio is in the range 1:1.70 to 1:1.80 and the second stretch ratio is in the range 1:1.85 to 1:1.95, and there is a reduction ratio of substantially 1:0.85 between the speed of the film during the second stretch rolling step and the speed of the film during wind-up.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image recording composite sheet has a lamination structure: (2) image receiving sheet section (including image receiving layer (D), image recording sheet substrate (C) and adhesive layer (E)) and (1) release sheet section (including release layer (B) and release sheet substrate (A)), and exhibits, as a whole, a compressive modulus of 50 MPa or less, wherein, the substrate (C) is constituted from (a) an upper oriented porous polyester film layer bonded to the image receiving layer (D) and (b) a lower oriented porous polymer film layer, the polymer of which is different from polyester of the layer (a), laminated on the upper film layer (a) and bonded to the adhesive layer (E), or the adhesive layer (E) comprises, together with an adhesive agent, a plurality of hollow particles each formed from a hollow core portion and a shell portion and has an average particle size of 0.

Abstract: A method of stretching films in which all or a portion of the width of the film is cooled during or just after stretching so as to improve the uniformity of the film. The includes stretching a polymeric film in a tenter that grasps the film with a plurality of clips along the opposing edges of the film and propels the clips to thereby stretch the film. The tenter includes driven clips and idler clips, with at least one idler clip between respective pairs of driven clips. The cooling is done so as to improve the uniformity of the clip spacing relative to the spacing obtained at otherwise identical process conditions without such cooling.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon, and a balloon catheter formed thereby, in which a layer of a catheter balloon is formed by decreasing the inner diameter of a first end section of a polymeric tube, so that the tube has a reduced diameter first end section with an inner diameter less than the inner diameter of a central section of the tube. The reduced diameter first end section of the tube is bonded to a catheter shaft to form at least a portion of a skirt section of the balloon, and the skirt section has an improved high rupture pressure.

Abstract: A film which is a biaxially oriented film comprising polyethylene-2,6-naphthalenedicaboxylate as a principal component, having a thermal strain ratio RMD (150) in the machine direction of the film at a temperature of 150° C. is ?1.5%?RMD (150)?0.0% when the thermal strain ratio RMD (T) in the machine direction of the film at a temperature T° C. based on the length LMD (t) in the machine direction (MD) of the film at a temperature t° C. is defined by RMD(T)={[LMD(T)?LMD(35)]/LMD(35)}×100(%), excellent in insulation characteristics without lowering processing characteristics, especially the characteristics during hot-pressing and suitable as a dielectric for capacitors.

Abstract: A shrinkable polymer film including a modified polyester resin polymerized from monomers including a dicarboxylic acid and a glycol, wherein the glycol includes 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and wherein the polymer film shrinks at least about 50% in a main shrinkage direction after ten seconds in an 80 degree Celsius hot water bath.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented polyester films which have a polyester-containing base layer (B) which additionally comprises poly(m-xyleneadipamide) and has been provided on at least one side with an overlayer (A) which has been coated with a barrier layer (D), said barrier layer comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid, feature improved optical properties such as high gloss and low opacity and very good barrier properties, in particular toward the passage of oxygen, and, as a consequence of their insensitivity toward moisture, are suitable as a packaging material for foods or other consumable items.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented polyester films which have a polyester-containing base layer (B) which additionally comprises poly(m-xyleneadipamide) and which is coated on at least one side with a barrier layer (D), the barrier layer comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid, feature improved optical properties such as high gloss and low opacity, and very good barrier properties, in particular with respect to oxygen passage, and are also suitable as packaging materials for foods or other consumable items as a consequence of their insensitivity toward moisture.

Abstract: A method and a device for production of a web with good breathing properties, for example having a nonwoven web based on plastic filaments and/or plastic fibers and a plastic film, applied on one side of the nonwoven web and containing at least one mineral filler. For the production of the good breathing properties, the web is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the same, in two successive steps, and an embossing is carried out, at least in certain sectors of the surface, between the two steps which effect the stretching in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An elastomeric, breathable laminate having enhanced breathability is formed by bonding a breathable, microporous, extendible/elastic film to a nonwoven facing material. The facing material can be necked to impart cross-directional stretchability. Once the film and the facing material are bonded together, the resulting laminate is stretched in one or more areas to impart higher breathability to selected areas of the laminate. The breathable laminate with enhanced breathability is particularly useful as an outer cover for diapers and other personal care products.

Abstract: Three-layer, highly oriented polyester films having an A-B-C layer construction, preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate, which, in addition to a base layer B have a smooth surface layer A which contains no external particles and a rough surface layer C which contains external particles such as antiblocking agents or pigments, preferably SiO2, in defined amounts and particle sizes, and the surface layer A is additionally provided with an acrylate-containing layer D feature in particular good producibility and processibility, high gloss of the film surface A and low opacity. The very smooth surface A or D is suitable in particular for coating with materials, for example SiOx, by means of plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisiloxane by the CVD or PECVD method, which provides the film with a high oxygen barrier and is suitable in particular as packaging for light- and air-sensitive foods or other consumable items.

Abstract: Three-layer, highly oriented polyester films having an A-B-C layer construction, preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate, which, in addition to a base layer B have a smooth surface layer A which contains no external particles and a rough surface layer C which contains external particles such as antiblocking agents or pigments, preferably SiO2, in defined amounts and particle sizes, and the surface layer C is additionally provided with an acrylate-containing layer D feature in particular good producibility and processibility, high gloss of the film surface A and low opacity. The very smooth surface A is suitable in particular for coating with materials, for example SiOx, by means of plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisiloxane by the CVD or PECVD method, which provides the film with a high oxygen barrier and is suitable in particular as packaging for light- and air-sensitive foods or other consumable items.

Abstract: Laminates of thermoplastic films and nonwoven fibrous webs are made at high speeds on the order of about 700 fpm to about 1200 fpm. Bond strengths of film and nonwoven laminates are effectively controlled to make breathable laminates at high speeds. Air cooling devices cause the air to flow substantially parallel to the extruded plastic web during drawdown and provide a plurality of cooling air vortices to effectively cool the web. Film gauge control is also achieved by the method.

Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.

Abstract: The substrates of the present invention comprise a polyimide base polymer derived at least in part from non-rigid rod monomers together with optionally rigid rod monomers where the substrates are cured under low tension. The resulting polyimide materials have been found to provide advantageous properties (e.g. balanced molecular orientation, good dimensional stability, and flatness) particularly useful for electronics type applications.

Abstract: The application discloses a transparent, biaxially oriented polyester film having a base layer at least 80% by weight of which is composed of a thermoplastic polyester, and having at least one outer layer, wherein the outer layer is composed of a polymer, or of a mixture of polymers, which comprises at least 40% by weight of ethylene 2,6-naphthalate units and up to 40% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units and/or units from cycloaliphatic or aromatic diols and/or dicarboxylic acids, with the proviso that the Tg2 value of the polyester film is above the Tg2 value of the base layer but below the Tg2 value of the outer layer, and at least one film surface has a surface tension of from 35 to 65 mN/m and/or has been provided with a functional coating of thickness from 5 to 100 nm. The film has low atmospheric oxygen transmission. It is particularly suitable for packaging uses, specifically for packaging foods and other consumable items, and for laminating, metallizing and printing.

Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.

Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Take-away systems can be used to receive the film after stretching. The configuration of the take-away system can, in at least some instances, influence final film properties.

Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.

Abstract: The invention relates to biaxially orientated, co-extruded polyester films, which have at least one base layer that contains a thermoplastic polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate and approx. 2 to 60 wt.-% of a cycloolefin copolymer that is preferably composed of norbornene and ethylene units and which have at least one cover layer that is devoid of a COC and which optionally have additional cover or intermediate layers and can contain conventional additives such as stabilisers and anti-blocking agents. Said films are characterized in particular by a degree of whiteness>70%, an opacity>55% and a gloss, (at least on one side)>100 and are therefore suitable for numerous industrial applications. During the production of the films in accordance with the co-extrusion process, up to 70 wt.-% of reclaimed product can be used, without having a noticeable negative effect on the physical properties of the film.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented polyester films which have a polyester-containing base layer (B) and a matt overlayer (A), and are characterized by the following features: a) the transverse shrinkage of the film is between 1 and 2.3%, b) the transverse linear expansion of the film during thermo-mechanical analysis is smaller than or equal to 0.2%, c) the matt overlayer comprises particles, preferably SiO2, whose median diameter is from 2 to 10 ?m and whose SPAN98 is smaller than or equal to 2, and d) the matt overlayer (A) comprises a polyester which has from 4 to 30 mol % of isophthalic acid units are notable in particular for low opacity, high transparency and low gloss of the overlayer (A), and are therefore suitable as flexible packaging films and for the purposes of hot lamination.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis of a series of amylose (starch) derivatives with various degrees of substitution and amylose/amylopectin ratios. These chains are chemically crosslinked and then mechanically deformed (stretched) to produce a biodegradable and mechanically superior material. Specifically, the process consists of chemically modifying starch into starch derivatives such as starch ethers, starch esters and starch carbamates. The polymers have a percentage degree of substitution of from about 35% to about 95% (degree of substitution is from about 1.05 to about 2.85) and preferably have a percentage degree of substitution of from about 65% to about 90% (degree of substitution is from about 1.95 to about 2.70). The starch derivatives are crosslinked to obtain crosslinked chains and processed into sheets, films, fibers, threads or other articles as known in the art.