Starch mono-phosphorylation for enhancing the stability of starch/PVA blend pastes for warp sizing

The effect of starch mono-phosphorylation on the stability of starch–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend pastes is investigated for warp sizing. The stability is evaluated in terms of initial demixing time and subsidence ratio. The use of phosphorylated starch either as base material in the blended pastes or for enhancing the paste stability of native starch–PVA blends is investigated. The stability of phosphorylated starch–PVA blend pastes depends on the degree of modification of the starch. Phase separation does not occur within 24 h if the DS value ≥0.049. The starch monoester can also be used as stabilizer to increase paste stability. Increasing the degree of phosphorylation and/or amount of the starch monoester effectively retards the separation rates and enhances paste stability.