The effect of kapok fiber ( Kf) on properties of starch / pva film composite

• Main Author: Nurul Syazwana Binti Azman
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Kapok fiber; Starch / PVA

This research was conducted to investigate the utilization of kapok fiber (KF) on the properties of starch/Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) composites. The different properties of composites with and without KF were studied on mechanical properties and microstructure analysis. The composite films consisting of starch were prepared by using hand lay-up method using PVA as the polymer matrix. Two type of films were produced which are starch/PVA composite film with KF and starch/PVA without KF. The two groups of films were obtained by blending PVA with starch with various weight percent of filler loading. The different sets of the composites were produced to study the physical structure characterization by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the mechanical properties of the composite. The tensile tests showed that the tensile strength of starch/PVA composite with KF present slightly better compared to the starch/PVA composite without KF. This is due to high content of cellulose that could lead to better stiffness and strength of the fibers when it is incorporated in the composites and this were considered to be responsible for the significant enhancement in the mechanical properties of this composite. From all the composite analyzed 55% PVA, 40% starch and 5% KF composite showed slightly higher tensile strength values compared to other composites. The improvement of tensile properties was supported by morphology studies with the addition of starch and KF into PVA composites was increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulu