Peningkatan Nilai Jual Gambir Petani Sumatera Barat

Gambir plants called as Uncaria gambir (hunter) roxb is one of export commodity in West Sumatera and has given high profit to local governon and Indonesia. Almost 80% export of Indonesia gambir product was produced in West Sumatera. However, the gambir price was decided by international gambir price. In order to improve the income of local Gambir farmer, the gambir has to be diversified to interesting product that presents high profit sold in local area. Therefore, the research was focused on diversifying gambir funded by project Stratgis Nasional. Output of the activity can improve income of gambir farmer in West Sumatera. The result shows that gambir presents the best quality by boiling for 40 minutes with appearance of yellow color. However, gambir produced from gambir leaves was only created for max. 8%

Effect of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate on Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Cassava Starch Bioplastic Composites

The development of bioplastic composites from various natural polymers reinforced with Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) has become a field of increasing interest. In this study, the effect of PCC on the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of a cassava starch matrix composite was examined. The bioplastic composites were made of cassava starch and mixed with glycerol as a plasticizer and 0-10% by weight of PCC. The material was then poured into a mold and oven dried. The physical, thermal and mechanical properties of bioplastic/PCC composites were investigated using Tensile Strength measurements, X-Ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimum tensile strength was obtained upon the addition of 4 % PCC. The addition of PCC improved the thermal stability of bioplastic/PCC composites. The results of X-ray Diffraction testing showed an increase in the crystallinity of the bioplastic/PCC composites with increase in PCC content but there is a decrease in the moisture absorption. SEM images indicated that the PCC filler content was incorporated into the matrix. In general, FTIR indicated the bioplastic/PCC composites were hydrophilic and the addition of PCC reduced the hydrophilic properties by damaging the hydrogen bonding between starch molecules and water

Prakiraan Kondisi Isolator (Keramik Dan Polimer) Tegangan Tinggi Berdasarkan Gambar Termal

Bahan keramik dan polimer banyak digunakan sebagai isolator dalam transmisi daya tegangan tinggi. Isolator cenderung mengalami kegagalan saat cuaca mendung (kelembaban tinggi) dan kondisi lingkungan seperti dekat pantai atau dekat pabrik semen. Kegagalan terjadi ketika permukaan isolator terkontaminasi oleh garam laut atau debu semen yang menyebabkan peluahan sebagian (PD). PD dan arus bocor dapat terjadi karena kontaminasi isolator menyebabkan kualitas isolasi menurun. Untuk mengatasi kegagalan isolator, metode ANFIS diusulkan sebagai prakiraan kondisi isolator secara non-kontak. Disamping alat pengujian memakai metoda baru juga dapat mengukur tingkat kebocoran isolasi. Oleh karena itu, perlu mengumpulkan data seperti voltase input, PD, arus bocor dan gambar termal isolator dalam dua kondisi berbeda yang bersih dan terkontaminasi pada tahap percobaan. Gambar termal ditangkap oleh kamera inframerah dan arus bocor dibaca melalui komputer pribadi (PC). Data-data ini digunakan sebagai input dalam pelatihan Jaringan Syaraf Tiruan (JST) dalam metode ANFIS. Lebih lanjut, metode ini menginterpretasikan data terukur dari isolator yang perlu dikategorikan sebagai Aman (p ≤ 0,5 dan / atau IB 0,5 ÷ ≤ 0,67 dan / atau IB (25 ÷ 33,5) mA) atau Berbahaya (p > 0,67 ÷ ≤ 0,83 dan / atau IB (33,5 ÷ 41) mA). Aplikasi akhir dari sistem dapat menjadi alat non-kontak untuk memprakirakan kondisi isolator keramik dan polimer yang digunakan oleh teknisi di lapangan

Pengembangan Mesin Penekan Daun Bertenaga Hidrolik: Studi Kasus Penekanan Daun Tanaman Gambir

A apparatus has been developed to press leaves of a plant called Uncaria Gambir Roxburgh by using the hydraulic power in order to obtain the paste from the leaves. Aim of the research is to design and fabricate the equipment getting the Gambir with high quality. High quality of Gambir depend strongly on content of catechin. The higher the content of catechin in Gambir the higher the quality of gambir. The meaning of Gambir is draied extraction of Gambir leaves. The capacity of hydraulic power developed was designed on maximum 250 bar. The pressure on leaf surface achieves 16 bar. The temparatur of leaves was set up on 90oC. The result of the investigation shows that the apparatus can produce the paste of Gambir. Dried extraction of Gambir can be obtained up to 8%. Keywords: Hidrolik, Catechin, Gambir, Dehumidifier and Pressur

Effect of vibration duration of high ultrasound applied to bio-composite while gelatinized on its properties

This article reports effect of vibration duration of high ultrasound applied to bio-composite while gelatinized on its properties. The bio-composite consists of mixing of both the tapioca starch based bioplastic and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibers with high volume fraction. Gelatinization of the bio-composite sample was poured into a rectangular glass mold placed then in an ultrasonic bath with 40 kHz, and 250 watt in different duration for 0, 15, 30, 60 min respectively. The results show that vibration during gelatinization has changed the characterisation of the bio-composite. SEM photograph displayed different fracture surface of tensile sample. For vibration duration of 60 min, tensile strength (TM), and tensile modulus (TM) was improved to 64.4, 277.4%, respectively, meanwhile strain was decreased to 35.1% in comparison without vibration. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and XRD diffraction of the bio-composite has changed due to various vibration duration. Moisture absorption of the vibrated bio-composite was lower than that of the untreated one

PEMBUATAN DAN KARAKTERISASI KOMPOSIT BIOPLASTIK BERBASIS FILLER CELLULOSE MICRO FIBERS RAMI

Pada penelitian ini telah diproduksi dan dikarakterisasi komposit bioplastik dari partikel selulosa serat rami (Cellulose Micro Fibers/CMF) untuk memperkuat komposit bioplastik bermatriks pati tapioka. CMF rami diproduksi menggunakan metode milling (CMFM) dan ultrasonikasi (CMFU) dengan ukuran masing-masing adalah 3,51 µm dan 0,388 µm. Pembuatan dan karakterisasi komposit bioplastik dilakukan dengan metode casting menggunakan gliserol sebagai plastisizer, dan penambahan filler CMF rami. Sifat fisik, kekuatan tarik, struktur dan termal komposit bioplastik dikarakterisasi menggunakan SEM, UTM, XRD, dan DSC. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa ukuran dan konsentrasi CMF secara signifikan mempengaruhi fisik bioplastik komposit. Dari hasil SEM menunjukkan bahwa filler CMF berinteraksi dengan matriks pati tapioka, dimana bioplastik dengan CMF rami berukuran kecil memperlihatkan struktur kompak dan permukaan yang lebih homogen. Nilai optimum kekuatan tarik terjadi pada penambahan 8% (w/w) CMF rami dari hasil ultrasonikasi dan milling masing-masing meningkat menjadi 3,31MPa dan 2,71MPa dari 1,64 MPa. Sebaliknya pada sifat termal sedikit berpengaruh dengan penambahan CMF rami. Analisis Difraksi Sinar-X menunjukkan kristalinitas komposit bioplastik meningkat dengan penambahan CMF rami dari 8,65 % menjadi 20,21 % untuk CMFM dan 15,12% untuk CMFU

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

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

Effect of Alkalization on Mechanical Propertiesof Water Hyacinth Fibers-Unsaturated Polyester composites.

Characteristic of local water hyacinth (WH) fibers and composites that consist of mixing WH fibers and unsaturated polyester (UPR) were studied. Composites mixed with the WH fibers treated in different alkali concentration for 1 h soaking time were tested by tensile and flexure machine and their fracture surface was observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that 7% NaOH, 1 h, treated WH fibers provided better mechanical properties on UPR matrix composites in comparison with other alkali concentrations. From SEM observation, some untreated WH fibers pulled out from their matrix were observed clearly in fracture surface of composites. The high alkali concentration created damage of cellulosic structure, thus decreasing of mechanical properties of the composites

FTIR and Moisture Absorption of Yam Bean Starch Biocomposites with Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) Bagasse Fibers as Reinforcement

Biocomposites from yam bean starch with yam bean bagasse (YBB) fibers as reinforcement has been successfully fabricated. The fabrication method was solution casting. YBB was variated for 1, 2, 3 and 4wt% (from dry weight starch basis). 2 mL glycerol was used as a plasticizer. The relative humidity (RH) condition in moisture testing was 99%. The result shows that the addition YBB able to decreased moisture absorption of starch film. The lowest moisture absorption was in biocomposites with 4wt% YBB. The moisture absorption test was supported byfourier transform infrared (FTIR) data.Keywords: Biocomposite, yam bean, yam bean bagasse, moisture, FTI

Mechanical properties of water hyacinth fibers – polyester composites before and after immersion in water

This study reported moisture absorption of untreated and treated individual water hyacinth (WH) fibers as well as comparison the mechanical properties of WH fibers – unsaturated polyester (UPR) matrix composites after and before immersion in water. The result shows that the individual WH fibers treated with various alkali concentration did not exhibit significantly decreases of their moisture absorption. SEM photograph in cross section of the treated WH fibers shows swollen cell wall containing more nano and micro hollows. Tensile and flexure strength of the wet composite samples are lower than that of dried ones. However, increases volume fraction of the WH fibers in UPR matrix affected slightly on enhancement mechanical properties of the composite samples