Biodegradable, compostable molding mass compositions, molded articles and methods of manufacture

A method for preparing a molding mass comprising the steps of:

• selecting a liquid component;
• wherein the liquid component includes a water component;
• selecting a non-liquid soluble solid component;
• wherein the non-liquid soluble solid component includes a starch component and a fiber component;
• wherein a starch/fiber wt. % ratio is in a range of
• 94 wt. % of the starch component:
• 6 wt. % of the fiber component to
• 49 wt. % of the starch component:
• 51 wt. % of the fiber component;
• wherein the starch component includes a plurality of starch granules having a select granule diameter size range including a granule diameter lower limit and a granule diameter upper limit;
• and
• wherein the fiber component includes a plurality of fibers, each of the plurality of fibers having a fiber length in a range of 1-250 times the granule diameter upper limit;
• mixing and kneading the liquid component and the non-liquid soluble solid component using a preparation system for forming a molding mass having a first plastic-elastic texture and consistency characterized by a total liquid content in the molding mass including the liquid content in a range of 57 to 65 wt. % based on a total mass of the molding mass composition;
• and
• wherein the starch comprises a physically modified starch having a pregelatinized starch in a form of a powder, the pregelatinized starch being in a range of 2 wt. % to 26 wt. % based on the total mass of the starch component;
• wherein a molding mass based on the molding composition including the pregelatinized starch is elastic and cohesive which in turn assists in the distribution of the molding mass substantially evenly throughout a mold while simultaneously limiting or avoiding the occurrence of voids during molding mass deposition process without requiring shuttle mechanism conditioning.