Characteristics of Cogon Grass Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Cassava Starch Biocomposite: Water Absorption and Physical Properties

Ridhwan Jumaidin; Zulhelmi Asyul Sutan Saidi; Rushdan Ahmad Ilyas; Mohd Nazri Ahmad; Mohammad Khalid Wahid; Mohd Yuhazri Yaakob; Nurul Ain Maidin; Mohd Hidayat Ab Rahman; Mohd Hairizal Osman

Authors

Ridhwan Jumaidin Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Zulhelmi Asyul Sutan Saidi Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Rushdan Ahmad Ilyas Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Nazri Ahmad Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Mohammad Khalid Wahid Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Mohd Yuhazri Yaakob Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Nurul Ain Maidin Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Mohd Hidayat Ab Rahman Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia
Mohd Hairizal Osman Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal Melaka, Malaysia

Keywords:

Thermoplastic starch, cogon grass fiber, natural fiber composite

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristic of thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) composites containing cogon grass fiber (CGF) in the range of 1, 3, and 5 wt.%. Initially, the mixture of TPCS and CGF are prepared by pre-mixing using a high-speed mixer at 3000 rpm for 12 min. Then, the thermoplastic composites were pressed at 160°C for 35 min by using a compression molding machine. The composites were characterized for its moisture content, water absorption, thickness swelling and water solubility characteristics. Inclusion of 5 wt.% loading had significantly reducedthe thickness swelling and water solubility of the biocomposites by 5.38% and 7.82%, respectively, compared with the neat TPCS. The moisture content and water absorption of the composites did not show significant changes following the addition of CGF. Overall, the incorporation of CGF into TPCS has enhanced the functional properties of the composites for short-life product applications.