Heru Suryanto, Sindy Jenuardy, Djoko Kustono, Poppy Puspitasari, Didin Zakariya Lubis
The potential development of the biodegradable plastic packaging technology in Indonesia is enormous because Indonesia has abundant biodiversity of agricultural and marine products to be developed into polymers. Cassava starch as the matrix biocomposite in packaging manufacturer has a great potential because in Indonesia there are various starch-producing plants. The research objective was to determine the influence of the sonication process on the strength of biocomposite starch reinforced by nanoclay. The method was a synthesis of biocomposite using a casting procedure. The sonication process of 5% (b/b) nanoclay in solution was conducted in 15, 30, 45, and 60 min using the ultrasonic homogenizer and then poured into the mold. The mechanical properties were measured using a tensile test machine with a maximum load of 50 N. The results showed that the duration of the sonication process affects the tensile strength of biocomposite starch reinforced by nanoclay. This result was demonstrated by the term of the sonication process by 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes resulting in biocomposites strength and elongation of 11.79, 14.77, 20.52, 28.01 MPa, respectively. It showed that the duration of the sonication process of more than or equal to 45 minutes enhances both tensile strength and surface smoothness. © 2018 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved.
Graduate School, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia; Mechanical Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
