Plasticized xyloglucan for improved toughness—Thermal and mechanical behaviour

► Xyloglucan has excellent thermomechanical properties. ► With plasticizers xyloglucan is thermally processable showing improved toughness. ► Xyloglucan/sorbitol combinations give the most suitable mechanical properties. Tamarind seed xyloglucan is an interesting polysaccharide of high molar mass with excellent thermomechanical properties. Several plasticizers were studied in order to facilitate thermal processing and improve toughness (work to fracture) of xyloglucan film materials: sorbitol, urea, glycerol and polyethylene oxide. Films of different compositions were cast and studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA) and tensile tests. Results are analysed and discussed based on mechanisms and practical considerations. Highly favourable characteristics were found with XG/sorbitol combinations, and the thermomechanical properties motivate further work on this material system, for instance as a matrix in biocomposite materials.