Abstract
A starch-based biodegradable plastic reinforced with bagasse fiber was produced. Alkaline treated bagasse fiber was blended with a mixture of acetylated starch and Poly (ε-) caprolactone (PCL) as matrix, and was extruded as composites. The effects of treated bagasse fiber content, average length and distribution on tensile strength and water absorption were investigated. When the treated bagasse fiber was blended with the matrix at 0, 12.0, 15.0% (w/w%), the tensile strength of composite increased. However, the tensile strength at 21.5% was almost same as for the non-bagasse fiber composite, indicating that the average fiber length of this composite was shorter than the twice of the critical fiber length based on Kelly and Tyson. The water absorption was found to be reduced with increasing treated bagasse fiber content. This shows that the treated bagasse fiber was more hydrophobic than acetylated starch. The composite may be applied to the production of flowerpots or seedling pots in agriculture to replace polystyrene.
