Characteristics Of Biocomposite Foam Trays Based On Tapioca And Glucomannan Under Different Molding Temperatures And Times

Abstract

Biocomposite foam is one of the environmentally friendly packaging material innovations developed to replace styrofoam. This study aimed to determine the effect of molding temperature and time on the characteristics of biocomposite foam trays based on tapioca and glucomannan, as well as to determine the appropriate molding temperature and time to produce the best characteristics. This study used a factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two factors, namely molding temperature consisting of 120°C, 150°C, and 180°C, and molding time consisting of 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds, resulting in 9 treatment combinations with 2 blocks. The variables observed in this study were tensile strength, tear resistance, elongation at break, permanent set, density, thickness swelling, thickness, biodegradation, and leakage test. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance and continued with Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test. The results showed that molding temperature and time also their interacction had a highly significant effect on tensile strength, tear resistance, elongation at break, permanent set, density, swelling, and biodegradation, had no significant effect on thickness, and all treatments showed no leakage. The best treatment was obtained at a molding temperature of 120°C and a molding time of 90 seconds, with characteristics of tensile strength 7.939 N/cm², tear resistance 5.671 N/cm², elongation at break 3.973%, permanent set 8.740%, density 0.268 g/cm³, swelling 0.539%, thickness 0.315 cm, biodegradation 77.6% on the 20th day, and leakage test no leakage.