Mechanical Characteristic and Water absorption Property of Bio Composite from Sago Starch and Jute Fiber (Boehmeria Nivea) as The Filler

Abstract

Eco-friendly plastic can be degraded biologically in an anaerobic environment. This plastic synthesize from starch such as sago starch that is available abundantly at the moment. In the form of bio plastic, the mechanical property still cannot be compared with conventional plastic derived from crude oil, hence the application become limited. Incorporating filler will improve its mechanical property, one of the chosen filler is jute fiber as used in this research. Jute fiber is a natural fiber. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) from sago with jute fiber as a filler and addition of Polypropylene to improve the mechanical properties with certain composition to maintain its biodegradability naturally. The mechanical properties analyzed were tensile strength test, elongation and modulus of elasticity. Water absorption test was conducted as well to observe the water resistance property. The results of tensile strength test showed the best tensile strength values of 9.32 Mpa obtained at the fiber addition of 35% with a Ratio TPS: PP of 1:1.5. The same condition obtained for percent elongation with the result of 10.16% and modulus of elasticity of 91.73 Mpa. Water absorption showed 55% filler gave the lowest water absorption, 4.41% at ratio of TPS: PP 1:0.5. Addition of fiber filler into the bio composite has influenced the tensile strength, elongation and modulus elasticity, higher filler volume incorporating into the bio composite has lowering the tensile strength, elongation and modulus elasticity value, or vice versa. Ratio polypropylene matrix added has influenced as well, the higher ratio has contributed to the higher tensile strength, elongation and modulus elasticity. Addition of polypropylene has limited the ability of bio composite to absorb water. High water absorbency will reduce the performance of bio composite, so the lower the ability of the water absorption, the better the quality of bio composite product and the broader the application can be.