Abstract
SummaryStarch‐based foam is a packaging materials made mainly from starchy materials which, as renewable resources, have the prospect of substituting synthetic styrofoam. Starch alone produced foam with poor mechanical properties. For that reason, cocopeat was added as a fiber reinforcement and blended with polyvinyl alcohol for improving the foam properties. This research investigated the effect of cassava starch and cocopeat ratio on the physical and mechanical properties of the biofoams prepared by addition of one part of cocopeat to 2, 3, and 4 parts of cassava starch followed by thermopressing technique at 150 °C for 6 min. Addition of cocopeat caused an increase in foam thickness (1.796–1.909 mm) but reduced its density (0.965–0.888 g/cm3), and the mixture produced foams with moderate modulus of elasticity (134–169 MPa) and high modulus of rupture (4.28–4.42 MPa). The biofoams had good mechanical properties and also had a high capability to absorb water (25.1–34.5%) in 3 min. This made the biofoams only suitable for packing low moisture products. Its high water absorption capability also influenced its biodegradability.
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