Utilization Grated Residue Coconut Milk as Reinforcing Agent Polylatic acid (PLA) for Biocomposites Materials

Abstrak- The development of technology in general will produce waste materials that cannot be recycled and cannot decompose naturally, for example petropolimer material such as PP, PVC, PE, etc. Bio-composite materials that can be decomposed naturally will be a solution to solve these problems. The aim of this study was to utilize the waste shredded coconut after the coconut milk was extracted, and used as reinforcing agent bio-composite material with matrix of Polylacticacid(PLA) that can decompose naturally. During this time, grated coconut is simply discarded without further exploited. Alkalization chemical treatment with 5% NaOH 1 hour to Grated Coconut Milk Residue (GCMR) was done to improve compatibility with PLA matrix. Bio-composite material was made with a fraction of 0%, 15%, 30% w/w using compression molding technique. The chemical structure of GCMR before and after chemical treatment was observed with Fourier Transform Infrared. The mechanical property of bio-composite material was observed with tensile test. Whereas the morphological characteristics of GCMR and fracture on the surface of bio-composite observed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. Then, thermal properties of bio-composite observed with Simultaneous Thermal Analysis. Result showed the addition of grated coconut fibers improve the mechanical properties, thermal stability, speed recrystallization PLA and PLA interfacial bonding between the filler GCMR. Thus, this material has the potential to reduce the environmental crisis caused by non-biodegradable material and non-renewable.
Kata Kunci—Instruksi; Poly(latic acid)(PLA), Reinforcing Agent, Grated Coconut Residue, Bio-composites.