Produksi Plastik Komposit Dari Tepung Ubi Kayu dan Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)

Abstract

The mixing of cassava flour with linear low density polyethylene is one solution to reducing the environmental problem caused by plastics waste. The objectives of this study was to produce plastic composite from cassava flour and LLDPE resins. Composite plastic was made with addition of glycerol as plasticizer and stearic acid as compatibilizer. Thermoplastic cassava flour was made by mixing glycerol by 30 and 40%. Plastic composites was made with plasticised cassava flour and LLDPE resins ratio at 20:80 and 30:70 with the addition of stearic acid by 5 and 7%. The analysis showed that stearic acid at 5 and 7%, respectively had melt flow index of 4.13 and 4.69 g/10 min. Composite pellets with plasticised cassava flour and LLDPE resins ratio at 20:80 and 30:70 each has a specific gravity of 0.916 and 0.941 g/cm3. The best mechanical properties obtained from the formulation with cassava flour and resins at 20:80 with a glycerol concentration of 40% and 5% stearic acid. Plastics from this formulation have md tensile strength of 5.62 MPa and md elongation at 594.27%. Plastic film composite with 40% glycerol has more opaque colors than plastic film composite with 30% glycerol.