EFFECT OF CHITOSAN FILLER AND COATING ON MECHANICAL AND WATER ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF RAMIE FIBER REINFORCED CASSAVA STARCH COMPOSITE

• Main Author: Hafizhah Nadhirah, Farah
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/69791
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Composites are now widely used in everyday life. However, many of the raw materials used are synthetic raw materials which are not environmentally friendly. Natural fibers and natural polymers can be used as substitute raw materials because they are environmentally friendly, have low production costs, high specific properties, and low density. However, the use of natural fibers and matrices has low water resistance and relatively low strength. To decrease water absorption in the composite and enhance its mechanical properties, chitosan fillers and coatings were added. Tensile, density, volume fraction, and water absorption tests on composites without addition (SR), with the addition of fillers (SR-F), coatings (SR-C), or both at the same time (SRFC) were performed to investigate the effect of chitosan fillers and coatings on the mechanical properties and water absorption of the composite. The results obtained are an increase in mechanical properties due to the addition of fillers and coatings. Water absorption decreases with the addition of coatings but increases with the addition of fillers.