Study on property of biodegradable packaging from water hyacinth fibers

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to produce alternative ware made from natural materials which are naturally degradable for natural conservation without environmental destruction, and also to study variables affecting forming and mechanical property of the ware made from natural materials. The generally available water hyacinth is the main raw material in fiber production, and cassava starch is used as binder. In preparation of raw material mixture used in testing, the ratio of mixture between water hyacinth fiber and binder for 4 specimens consisting of 40:60, 45:55, 50:50 and 55:45 by weight was applied. The length of water hyacinth fiber used in testing was 5 mm. Hot compression process method was applied in forming whereas heat used testing was 110C 130C and 150C, respectively at constant pressure of 6 bar, and 20 minutes was taken in compression. The testing result indicated that the ware was compressed into wide opening bowl I in the size of Bowl Opening: Bowl Bottom: Height: Thickness for 140:90:25:2 mm, respectively. The appropriate ratio between water hyacinth and binder was 40: 60 by weight, using 150C of temperature in forming ware in forming ware and having 0.83 g/cm3 of density, 141.66% of % water absorption, 54.80 MPa of Tensile Strain Test, 3.24 MPa of Flexural Strength Test. The ware derived from this testing has been appropriate for containing dried foods. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University.