title: Characteristics of thermoplastic sugar palm Starch/Agar blend: Thermal, tensile, and physical properties.
abstract: The aim of this work is to study the behavior of biodegradable sugar palm starch (SPS) based thermoplastic containing agar in the range of 10-40wt%. The thermoplastics were melt-mixed and then hot pressed at 140°C for 10min. SEM investigation showed good miscibility between SPS and agar. FT-IR analysis confirmed that SPS and agar were compatible and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds existed between them. Incorporation of agar increased the thermoplastic starch tensile properties (Young's modulus and tensile strength). The thermal stability and moisture uptake increased with increasing agar content. The present work shows that starch-based thermoplastics with 30wt% agar content have the highest tensile strength. Higher content of agar (40wt%) resulted to more rough cleavage fracture and slight decrease in the tensile strength. In conclusion, the addition of agar improved the thermal and tensile properties of thermoplastic SPS which widened the potential application of this eco-friendly material. The most promising applications for this eco-friendly material are short-life products such as packaging, container, tray, etc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Structure and Material, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jumaidin
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: sapuan@upm.edu.my.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sapuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Structure and Material, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jawaid
authors.affiliation: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ishak
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sahari
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C060188:Gur; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010969:Plastics; D014867:Water; D000362:Agar; D013213:Starch
keywords: Agar; Starch; Thermoplastic starch