Viscosity properties of acetylated carboxymethyl starch

► The flow curves and viscosity properties of ACMS were investigated. ► Acetyl plays important role for the flow curves and viscosity properties of ACMS. ► Viscosity of ACMS with DScm = 0.76, DSac = 0.34 are similar to sodium alginate under study. ► The thermal stability of CMS improved after acetylation.