ABSTRACT:
The effect of glycerol on the mechanical, thermal and water absorption properties of thermoplastic
tapioca starch reinforced rice straw fiber grinded in the range below 100 µm was investigated.
Compound formulation was done on twin screw extrusion and the extrudates were pelletized. The
compounded samples were processed using compression moulding to form sheet at 150°C for tensile
and thermal gravimetric. SEM studies were investigated on fracture surface of composites. Tensile test
was done in accordance to ASTM D638. Thermal analysis was used to determine the degradation
temperature of composite. Increasing the amount of glycerol increased the tensile strength of
composite up to 30 phr of glycerol, however, increasing to 40 and 50 phr glycerol was decrease the
strength but elongation at break of composites was increased with increasing glycerol content. Thermal
Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) result showed that increased amount of glycerol content lead to decrease in
degradation temperature of the composite and SEM micrograph showed that good dispersion and
adhesion between rice straw fiber and starch.