Starch paste
Description
A water-soluble Adhesive prepared from cooked starch. Starch paste is usually made with rice or wheat starch. Starch based adhesives adhere well to cellulosic materials. They are stable and remain water-soluble with time. Starch adhesives, however, are susceptible to biological attack and may discolor to gray or yellow with age. Commercial formulations sometimes have additives, such as Borax, Calcium chloride or Sodium nitrate, to increase tack. Plasticizers, such as Glycerol, glycols, Sorbitol, Honey, Glucose, or Sugar, have been used to decrease brittleness. Starch adhesives are used industrially for labels, bag seams, Wallpaper, stamps, envelopes, and corrugated board manufacture. In conservation, starch pastes are used to repair Paper tears and size textiles.
Synonyms and Related Terms
starch adhesive; library paste
Other Properties
Reacts with a iodine/potassium iodide solution to give a positive purple color
Hazards and Safety
Susceptible to biodeterioration. Dried films become brittle with age.
Additional Information
W. Jarowenko, "Starch Based Adhesives" in Handbook of Adhesives, I.Skeist (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1977, p.172-180.
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998
- Irving Skeist, Handbook of Adhesives, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, 1977