Process optimization of sweet potato pulp-based biodegradable plastics using response surface methodology

✍ Scribed by Jun T. Kim; Dong S. Cha; Gee D. Lee; Tae W. Park; Dong K. Kwon; Hyun J. Park

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 494 KB
• Volume: 83
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8995
• DOI: 10.1002/app.10070

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Biodegradable plastics were produced from sweet potato pulp (SPP) and cationic starch (CS) or chitosan composite (CC) by compression molding and their mechanical properties were tested. A universal testing machine, Rockwell hardness tester, and Izod impact tester were used for testing the mechanical properties (flexural strength, Rockwell hardness, and Izod strength) of the plastics. A central composite second‐order design was used to study the effects of temperature, time, and moisture content on the flexural strength, Rockwell hardness, and Izod strength of SPP/CS and SPP/CC blended plastics. The flexural strength, Rockwell hardness, and Izod strength of SPP‐based plastics was 101.1–305.9 kg/cm^2^, R29.0–R96.7, and 0.6–3.0 kg cm cm^−2^, respectively. Regression analysis predicted the optimal mechanical properties (flexural strength, Rockwell hardness, and Izod strength) to be attained with a 150–160°C temperature, 15–20‐min reaction time, and 20–23% moisture content. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 423–434, 2002