By: Neng Sri Suharty
Making bio-degradable nanocomposite smart and has a flame resistance of polymer matrix made from waste polyproplylene (rPP) and kenaf fiber (KF) filler are processed internally reactive mixer (IM) and a solution with a xylene solvent with various types of CaCO3 content (natural CaCO3, pro analysis CaCO3 and nano-pro analysis CaCO3) as a fire retardant material, without and with additive diammonium phosphate (DAP) and sodium polyphospat (NaPP). Characterization was done in chemistry, physics and mechanics. Chemical analysis performed by FTIR to determine changes in the structure of analysis function groups. The viscosity of the product was analysis based on the MFI to predict the occurrence of changes in molecular weight of polymer network according to ASTM D1238. Mechanical properties of biocomposites based on tensile strength (TS) according to ASTM D638. The flame testing was based on ASTM D635. Biodegradation ability is based on the percentage of sample weight after burial for 4 months in a mixture of soil and waste of cow. Results of optimum composition synthesized biocomposites rPP/DVB/AA/KF was in the ratio of rPP/KF= 8/2. The analysis structure biocomposites using FTIR, DTA and XRD, showed that all well formed biocomposite rPP/AA/KF (L3) and rPP/DVB/AA/KF (L12) displays a combination of traits from each of its constituent compounds. The results of mechanical tests L3 biocomposites increased up to 15.8% while the biocomposites TS L12 increased up to 16.9% compared to that of starting TS material rPP. Physical test results show biocomposites L3 has MFI lower 32% and biocomposites L12 has MFI lower 37% respectively compared to that of the starting material rPP. The optimum composition synthesizing of smart bio-nanocomposites rPP/DVB/AA/KF /[nCC+DAP] (L31z) or rPP/DVB/AA/KF/[nCC+NaPP] (L38z) were also in the ratio of rPP/KF=8/2; concentration of flame retardant additive was 20% of the total weight with the optimum ratio CaCO3/DAP or CaCO3/NaPP was 7/13. The results showed that the use of an additive fire retardant DAP was better than NaPP and biocomposites processed in the solution was better than in IM, the use of nano CaCO3 was better compared to that others CaCO3 types. The biocomposites with formula L38z = rPP/DVB/AA/KF/[nCC+NaPP], has the results of flame test as follow: flame response time (FRT) into 129% longer, burning rate (BR) slowed into 48%, the percentage heat release (% HR) smaller into 16% respectively compared to that of biocomposite without any fire retardant (L12). While the bio-nanocomposite processed in IM, the flame test results are generally lower ability to resist combustion: FRT 126% greater, BR 37% smaller and HR 15% smaller, respectively compared to that of L12. The test results biodegradation of bionanocomposite L38zand IM38z, there were increased their losing weight (LW) specimens after biodegradation up to 5.8% and 4.2% respectively compared to that of biocomposites L12. While bio-nanocomposite with formula L31z= rPP/DVB/AA/KF/[nCC+DAP], had flame test results follow : FRT longer until 148%, BR slower to 54%, HR smaller 28% 3 compared to that of L12 biocomposites . While the bio-nanocomposite processed in IM flame test results are generally lower ability to resist combustion : FRT 144% greater, 45% smaller BR and HR 27% smaller and than that of L12. The test results biodegradation of bionanocomposite with formula L31z and IM31z, the LW increased up to 5.8% compared to that of L12. Tensile strength (TS) of bio-nanocomposite with formula IM38z and IM31z decrease in to 2% and 6% respectively compared to that of L12.