Effect of Natural Fibers in the Mechanical Properties of Starch-based Plastic

Kourtney Collier, Alexa Calonia, Emily Hine, Victoria Bozinovski, and Fadumo Warsame

This work reports the fabrication and testing of potato starch-based plastic (SBP) film reinforced with micro hemp fibers. In particular, this work describes the processing parameters, including the temperatures for the mixing of the ingredients and drying methods, as well as the influence of the hemp fiber weight fraction in the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the SBP film. Mentor: Andres Tovar

Group Members

K C

Kourtney Collier

Major: Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Technology

A C

Alexa Calonia

Major: Neuroscience
School of Science

E H

Emily Hine

Major: Biomedical Engineering
School of Engineering and Technology

V B

Victoria Bozinovski

Major: Neuroscience
School of Science

F W

Fadumo Warsame

Major: Chemistry
School of Science