Abstract
Concern for sustainable development has provided significant improvements in the development of biodegradable materials. This work aims to evaluate, through a central composite design (CCD), the mechanical properties of cassava starch-based biocomposites manufactured with different compositions of carnauba wax (CW), sisal fiber (SF) and glycerol (G). The biocomposites were obtained by casting method. The tensile strength (TS), modulus of elasticity (ME) and elongation at break (El) for the biocomposites were determined by tensile tests. Representative models were obtained to explain changes in mechanical properties of biocomposites as function of composition variables. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to elucidate interactions between the starch matrix and additives A biocomposite with 7.5% sisal fiber, 10% carnauba wax and 10% glycerol showed the best properties to possible applications.
Highlights
The growth of global societies associated with the depletion of natural resources and raise in solid waste production worry the world leaders
According to the model obtained and considering the minimum concentrations of carnauba wax (0%) and glycerol (10%), it is observed that the maximum values of tensile strength (TS) and modulus of elasticity (ME) would be obtained with the concentrations of 20.72% and 31.94% of sisal fiber, respectively
It can be concluded that the high concentration of carnauba wax leads to the formation of voids and agglomerates of this component due to its inability to mix with the matrix
Summary
The growth of global societies associated with the depletion of natural resources and raise in solid waste production worry the world leaders. No effort for sustainability can be successful without causing material producers to consider issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, embedded energy, waste accumulation, and resource depletion This concern for environmental and material sustainability has led to significant improvements in the development and application of biodegradable materials produced from renewable resources . Some biopolymers, like cassava starch , [3,4,5] corn starch [6,7] and potato starch , [8,9] have been proposed as alternatives to replace non-biodegradable plastic materials Despite their advantages, biopolymers often have some limiting properties, such as low flexibility, high brittleness and high moisture absorption[10]. Hydrophobic substances, like waxes, are incorporated to biopolymer matrix in order to lessen moisture absorption[6]
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