SIFAT MEKANIK DARI BIOKOMPOSIT FILM PATI UBI KAYU DENGAN PENGUAT SERAT AKAR BUAH NAGA (HYLOCEREUS POLYRHIZUS)

Abstract

Dragon fruit root fiber used as a reinforcement in the biocomposites film of cassava starch. The production method of biocomposites film was solution casting. The cassava starch serves as the matrix in the biocomposites film. The variation of amount fiber in matrix was 2, 4 and 6%  from dry starch weight basis. Isolation of dragon fruit root fiber used alkalization and bleaching process with NaOH, NaClO₂ and CH₃COOH, respectively. Glycerol was used as plasticizers. Mechanical properties of biocomposites was determined by tensile test. The result shows that, tensile strength increased 200% after the addition of 6% fiber compared to pure starch film. Tensile test data was supported by X-Ray Difraction (XRD).

Keywords: Biocomposite, Cassava Starch, Dragon fruit root fiber, Mechanical properties, XRD.