Mechanical Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Coconut Fiber Reinforced Waste Styrofoam Composite : The Effect of Compression Molding Temperature

Abstract

Coconut fiber contains 36-43% of cellulose and has a potential to hydrolyze into microcrystalline cellulose. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from coconut fiber can be used as composites filler. The objective of this research was done to find out the best composition of MCC and compression molding temperature for styrofoam composites filled MCC. MCC composition was varied from 0-10% (wt). Molding temperature was varied from 110-150C. The results exhibited that addition of 8% (wt) of MCC with 130C of molding temperature have showed the best mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths. The study has indicated that MCC filled the pores of styrofoam and some of the pores have been lost due to proper heating during molding.