Investigation Characteristics of Pulp Fibers as Green Potential Polymer Reinforcing Agents

Three kinds of pulp fiber (i.e. kenaf, pineapple and coconut fiber)were characterized as reinforcing agents in compositematerials to be applied at automotive interior industry.Abetter understanding on characteristics of fiber will lead to enhance interface adhesion between fiber and matrices. Furthermore, it will improve the properties of polymer significantly. Chemical, surface compositions as well as morphology of pulp fiber were investigated using TAPPI standard test method, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and optical microscopy, respectively. Further observation on morphology of the fiber was conducted by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). From this study, pineapple pulps showed the highest α-cellulose content than that of kenaf or coconut pulps. However, it has the lowest hemicellulose content among them. This condition takes responsibility for the difficulties of pineapple pulps defibrillation process. Much fines or external fibrillations are presence on both kenaf and pineapple pulp's morphology, but it is not presence in the coconut pulps.Moreover, coconut fiber is shorter than the other two fibers with diameter size estimated in the order pineapple < kenaf < coconut pulps. FT-IR analysis shown quite similar absorption fromall pulps, except for coconut pulps due to the remaining lignin on the surface of fiber that showed by the presence of C-O phenol stretching at 1280 cm-1. Finally, it is reported that kenaf pulps fiber is suitable candidate for polymer reinforcing agents compared to pineapple and coconut pulps fiber

Utilization of Micro Sisal Fibers as Reinforcement Agent and Polypropylene or Polylactic Acid as Polymer Matrices in Biocomposites Manufacture

Sisal (Agave sisalana) as a perennial tropical plant grows abundantly in Indonesia. Its fibers can be used as the reinforcement agent of biocomposite products. Utilization of sisal as natural fiber has some notable benefits compared to synthetic fibers, such as renewable, light in weight, and low in cost. Manufacture of biocomposite requires the use of matrix such as thermoplastic polymer, e.g. polypropylene (PP) and polylactic acid (PLA) to bond together with the reinforcement agent (e.g. sisal fibers). In relevant, experiment was conducted on biocomposites manufacture that comprised sisal fibers and PP as well as PLA. Sisal fibers were converted into pulp, then refined to micro-size fibrillated fibers such that their diameter reduced to about 10 μm, and dried in an oven. The dry microfibrillated sisal pulp fibers cellulose (MSFC) were thoroughly mixed with either PP or PLA with varying ratios of MSFC/PP as well as MSFC/PLA, and then shaped into the mat (i.e. MSFC-PP and MSFC-PLA biocomposites). Two kinds of shaping was employed, i.e. hot-press molding and injection molding. In the hot-press molding, the ratio of MSFC/PP as well as MSFC/PLA ranged about 30/70-50/50. Meanwhile in the injection (employed only on assembling the MSFC-PLA biocomposite), the ratio of MSFC/PLA varied about 10/90-30/70. The resulting shaped MSFC-PP and MSFC-PLA biocomposites were then tested of its physical and mechanical properties. With the hot-press molding device, the physical and mechanical (strength) properties of MSFC-PLA biocomposite were higher than those of MSFC-PP biocomposite. The optimum ratio of MSFC/PP as well as MSFC/PLA reached concurrently at 40/60. The strengths of MSFC-PP as well as MSFC-PLA biocomposites were greater than those of individual polymer (PP and PLA). With the injection molding device, only the MSFC-PLA biocomposite was formed and its strengths reached maximum at 30/70 ratio. The particular strengths (MOR and MOE) of MSFC-PLA biocomposite shaped with injection molding were lower than those with hot-press molding, both at 30/70 ratio. The overall MOR of such MSFC- PLA biocomposite was lower than that of pure PLA, while its MOE was still mostly higher

Optimasi Rendemen Fibroin Ulat Sutera Bombyx Mori L. Dan Attacus Atlas L. Dengan Response Surface Methodology

Ekstraksi fibroin dilakukan dengan perlakuan suhu dan waktu tanpa diketahui maksimal atau tidaknya capaian rendemen yang dihasilkan. Padahal data tersebut sangat penting untuk estimasi profitabilitas pada USAha hilir ulat sutera. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan formulasi ekstraksi (degumming) yang menghasilkan rendemen fibroin optimum. Metode yang digunakan adalah optimasi ekstraksi fibroin menggunakan Program Response Surface Methodology (RSM) dengan tiga variabel bebas, konsentrasi NaOH, suhu dan waktu. Variabel tersebut diformulasikan dalam rancangan percobaan Central Composite Design (CCD) di Program RSM menggunakan titik pusat NaOH 0,1 N, suhu 105 °C selama 30 menit. Pada rancangan percobaan tersebut, rendemen bobot fibroin (%) digunakan sebagai respon (variabel terikat) untuk menghasilkan kondisi optimum. Kondisi tersebut berupa formulasi variabel bebas yang mengoptimumkan rendemen fibroin. Kondisi optimum Bombyx mori dicapai pada konsentrasi NaOH 0,018 N, suhu 110,53 °C dan waktu 55,51 menit pada satu kali degumming dengan perolehan rendemen fibroin sebesar 71,11 ± 0,98 %. Rendemen fibroin optimum sebesar 83,06 ± 1,50 % pada Attacus atlas dihasilkan dari kondisi optimum NaOH 0,12 N, suhu 79 °C selama 42,65 menit pada dua kali degumming. Metode ekstraksi fibroin yang tepat akan menghasilkan rendemen fibroin yang optimum

Efek Penambahan Asam Fenilfosponat-seng, Talk Dan Triasetin Terhadap Laju Kristalisasi Poliasam Laktat

Dalam aplikasi industri, salah satu kekurangan poli asam laktat (PLA) adalah kristalisasi yang lambat, sehingga meneyebabkan waktu yang lebih lama untuk mengolah PLA dibandingkan dengan polimer konvensional seperti polipropilen. Penelitian ini mengevaluasi pengaruh penambahan pengisi atau aditif terhadap laju kristalisasi PLA. PLA dilarutkan dalam diklorometana (DCM) dan dicampur dengan nucleating agent (seng asam fenilfosfonat atau talk) atau pelunak (triasetin) pada konsentrasi yang berbeda diikuti dengan pengeringan pada suhu kamar selama 24 jam dan pengeringan oven selama 2 jam pada suhu 80 °C. Campuran kering PLA ditempa panas pada 180 °C selama 10 menit. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) dilakukan untuk mengevaluasi tingkat kristalisasi. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa penambahan pengisi atau aditif mempercepat proses kristalisasi PLA. Asam seng fenilfosponat (PPA-Zn) adalah pengisi yang paling efektif untuk mempercepat laju kristalisasi PLA

Comparison of Three Different Techniques of Gene Transfer in Humpback Grouper ( ) Cromileptes Altivelis

Humpback grouper is one of the most cultured fishes in Asia, including Indonesia. Themain problemfaced by humpback culture is its slow growth rate.One of themethods that willbe more effective and efficient to solve the problem is using transgenic technique. This studywas conducted to determine the effectiveness of transfection,microinjection and electroporationtechniques on gene transfer in humpback grouper. transfection was performed byincubating sperm to the foreign DNA (pktBP-ktGH gene construct)-transfectant complexsolution, while was by injecting those complex solution into testis of mature males.Microinjection was conducted in 2-4 cell stage embryos using 25 μg/ml of foreign DNAsolution, and duration of injection was 1, 2 and 3 seconds. Electroporation by 50 V, 30 ms ofpulse length, 5 of pulse number and 0.1 of pulse interval was performed to sperm using threeDNA concentration of 5, 10 and 20 μg/ml. The incorporation of foreign DNA in sperm andembryos were analyzed using PCR method. Based on PCR analysis, an optimum DNAconcentration for electroporation was 10 μg/ml. Limited number of embryos could bemicroinjected during 20-30 min to reach 2-4 cell stage. Microinjection for 1 second showedhigher survival rate of embryos, although none or very low number of larvae was hatched.Transfast was an effective DNA delivery reagent for humpback grouper sperm. Foreign DNAcould be detected in sperm from two out of ten transfected fish at least 36 hours posttransfection (hpt). By transfection, foreign DNA was detected in sperm at 48 hpt 25 Cincubation temperature. Our study revealed that transfection, microinjection as well aselectroporation could be used as transgenesis methods in humpback grouper. By means ofsimplicity and efficacy, however, electroporationwas an appropriate gene transfermethod.oIn vitroin vivoin vivoin vitr

Characteristics of Pulp Fibers as Green Potential Polymer Reinforcing Agents

Three kinds of pulps (i.e kenaf, pineapple and coconut fiber) were characterized as reinforcing agents in composite materials to be applied at automotive interior industry. A better understanding on characteristics of fiber will lead to enhance interface adhesion between fiber and matrices. Chemical, surface compositions, and morphology of pulp fiber were investigated using TAPPI standard test method, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and optical microscopy, respectively. Morphology of fiber was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Pineapple pulps showed the highest α-cellulose content than that of kenaf or coconut pulps. However, it has the lowest hemicellulose content among them. This condition takes responsibility for the difficulties of pineapple pulps defibrillation process. Much fines or external fibrillations are presence on both kenaf and pineapple pulp's morphology, but it is not presence in the coconut pulps. Coconut fiber is shorter than the other two fibers with diameter size estimated in the order pineapple < kenaf < coconut pulps. FTIR analysis shown quite similar absorption from all pulps, except for coconut pulps due to the remaining lignin on the surface of fiber that showed by the presence of C-O phenol stretching at 1280 cm-1. Kenaf pulps fiber is suitable candidate for polymer reinforcing agents compared to pineapple and coconut pulps fiber

Sifat Ketahanan Api Lima Jenis Kayu Dengan Pelapisan Carbon Phenolic Spheres (CPS) Yang Diuji Dengan Cone Calorimeter Fire Resistance Properties of Five Wood Species Laminated with Carbon Phenolic Spheres (CPS) Tested by Cone Calorimeter

In all aspects of wood utilization their fire resistance properties are very important; therefore efforts to enhance those properties are needed. In the previous study, graphite phenolic spheres (GPS) laminated on woods and plywood enhanced their fire properties. Carbon phenolic spheres (CPS) is a new material made from a mixture of wood char and phenolic resin, this material is cheaper than GPS. In the present experiment, CPS sheet was laminated on five wood species and their fire resistance properties were evaluated using cone calorimeter.　The five wood species are randu (Bombax ceiba L.), angsana (Pterocarpus indicus Jacq.), mindi (Melia azedarach L.), puspa (Schima wallichii DC Korth), and mahoni (Swietenia mahagony L. Jacq). The specimen was 100 mm x 100 mm with thickness of 30 mm tested with cone calorimeter in accordance with ISO 5660 standard. Using cone calorimeter a homogenous heat was exposed to the surface of wood specimen, and ignited with igniter. About 1 mm thick of CPS sheet was laminated on the wood surface (100 mm x 100 mm). Specimen was tested at horizontal position and at heat flux of 40 kW/m2. On the unexposed wood surface, thermocouple was attached to measure increases of temperature. Results showed that five species of wood laminated with CPS have higher fire properties compared with control wood, however compared with woods laminated with GPS those results were lower

Tinjauan Penelitian Terkini Tentang Pemanfaatan Komposit Serat Alam Untuk Komponen Otomotif Review on Current Research on Utilization of Natural Fiber Composites for Automotive Components

Automotive industries now are targeting their components to become “green composites” which are environmentally friendly, renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, light, and strong. Natural fibers have potential to use as substitute for material composites traditionally used by automotive industries such as fiber glass, carbon fiber and aramid that are non renewable, non degradable and non recyclable. Therefore the use of synthetic fibers should be reduced. European End of Live program required that in 2015 all new cars should be recyclable. Composites reinforced with natural fibers will play important role as automotive materials. Some advantages of natural fibers compare to synthetic fibers are renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, non toxic to human and environment, low density, better specific mechanical properties, non abrasive to tools, and lower cost. Utilization of natural fibers can reduced car weight up to 30%, and energy to produce natural fibers is lower compare to glass fibers.Natural fiber resource, their characteristics and current research on their utilization for automotive components were reviewed. Hopefully it will stimulate and raise the research on utilization of natural fibers in Indonesia, especially for high value products such as automotive component