Abstract
With the goals of reducing the amount of biodegradable plastic use and developing the utilization of Okara, which is a byproduct of tofu production, the mechanical properties and dimension stability with vapor and liquid water adsorption of polybutylene succinate sheet mixed with dry Okara at 20 and 30wt%(20wt%- and 30wt%-Okara/PBS sheet) were evaluated. Based on the thermal decomposition behavior of Okara, it was determined that the Okara and PBS should be kneaded in 185°C conditions. From the results of tensile tests, the Okara/PBS sheets showed high tensile stress and stiffness compared to the PBS sheet. This mechanical property change might be caused by the adhesion interaction between PBS and dry Okara. In addition, the moisture and water adsorption amounts of the Okara/PBS sheets were more than those of the PBS sheet. Furthermore, although the dimensional stability of the Okara/PBS sheets was lower than that of the PBS sheet, the dimension change of the 30wt%-Okara/PBS sheet was only 1.1% when immersed in liquid water. Finally, Okara/PBS sheet could be used as a packaging material.
