Kajian penambahan onggok termoplastis terhadap karakteristik plastik komposit polietilen

Abstract

Fiber and starch are such important components to improve the mechanical and physical properties of composite plastic. Cassava bagasse is a natural source of fiber. Thermoplastization process are needed because of its hydrophilic properties. The thermoplastic cassava bagasse with the high hydrophobic characteristic would be produced in this research. Thermoplastic cassava bagasse was blended with polyethylenes (HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE), and investigated the physical, mechanical, thermal and biodegradability properties. High portions of polyethylene resins in the mixture would enhance the mechanical and physical properties, otherwise it would decrease its biodegradability, and vice versa. The mixing of the thermoplastic cassava bagasse with HDPE resin can not be determined futher because composite plastic produced is fragile and brittle. Mixing ratio of polyethylene resins and thermoplastic cassava bagasse (produced from 30% of glycerol) as the 60-40 showed the highest mechanical and physical properties, for LDPE (16.59% of the elongation at yield and 69.39 kg/cm2 of tensile stress at yield, 66.79 kg/cm2 of tensile stress at break). The high concentration glycerol up to 40% in thermoplastic cassava bagasse mixing with resins could improve the biodegradability. Introduction of thermoplastic cassava bagasse to the polyethylene composite plastic can increase biodegradation capability as 10.15-17.71%.