For the exclusive use of Chem 86L OTL class in Xavier-Ateneo

Name: Bantug, Athaliah Jenine T. Locker No.:

Co-Workers: Bullan, Florence A. Section: CHEM 86L - E1B2
Dequeros, Grachielle Edrea C. Date Performed:
Attendance:

Expt. 3 Bioplastic from Plant Starch

I. Objectives: To be able to: Pre-lab data:
Observations:
1) prepare bioplastic from plant starch using different additives,
Analysis:
glue, sugar and glycerol
2) determine tensile strength of the bioplastics produced Conclusion:
3) compare the tensile strength of the bioplastics TOTAL:

II. Apparatus: III. Symbols of Chemicals:

Stirring rod, Petri Dish, Beaker, Watchglass, acetic acid - CH3COOH, water - H2O, glue - (C4H6O2) n
Spring Scale, Magnetic Bar, Toploading Balance,
sodium hydroxide - NaOH, starch - C12H25NO11,
Electronic Digital Caliper, Graduated Cylinder,
sugar - C 12H22 O11, glycerol - C3H8O3
Hotplate, Food Coloring
IV. Procedure: (Note: Write schematic diagram at the back.)

V. Observations

1. Data Table I

Sample Additive Qualitative Description of Thickness Width

Plastic Film (mm) (mm)

1 Sugar smooth 0.70 mm 18.76 mm

2 Glycerol rough 0.38 mm 23.08 mm

3 Glue smooth, cracked _ _

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 For the exclusive use of Chem 86L OTL class in Xavier-Ateneo

2. Data Table II

Sample Cross-sectional Area; Max Applied Max Applied Tensile Strength; Tensile Strength
thickness x width (m2) Force (lb) Force (N) 𝑭𝑭/ area (MPa)
(N/m2 or Pa)
1
-5 2 5 2
1.3132 x10 m 1.7778 lb 7.908 N 6.022 x10 N/m 0.6022 MPa

2
-6 2 5 2
8.7704 x10 m 1.1111 lb 4.942 N 5.635 x10 N/m 0.5635 MPa

3
_ _ _ _ _

VI. Analysis

POST-LAB QUESTIONS: Limit your answers to 3-5 sentences.

1. Of the plastic samples for which you have data, which was the strongest and which was the weakest?
2. Suggest a reason why a dog bone shape is used for the tensile test? Name one source of error for this
test.
3. What other tests might you want to perform on the plastic samples before use in a commercial
product?
4. What are at least two advantages and two disadvantages of replacing plastic products made from
fossil fuels with products made from bioplastics?

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PROPERTY OF XAVIER-ATENEO CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

 Analysis

1. Of the plastic samples for which you have data, which was the strongest
and which was the weakest?

From the data, the tensile strength of sugar is 6.022x105 n/m2 and the
tensile strength of glycerol is 5.635x105 n/m2. And since sugar has a
higher tensile strength, it is considered to be the strongest while glycerol
is the weakest. Glue is neither weak nor strong due to lack of data.

2. Suggest a reason why a dog bone shape is used for the tensile test? Name
one source of error for this test.

A dog bone shape is primarily used in testing tensile strength since it's
a sample that has a shoulder at each end and a gauge section in
between. The shoulder is wider than the gauge section which causes a
stress concentration to occur in the middle when the sample is loaded
with a tensile force. An error could occur when it is not cut properly and
when it was raptured anywhere except the mid-section, which means
that the failure may be attributed to improper loading or preexisting
defect on the material

3. What other tests might you want to perform on the plastic samples before
use in a commercial product?

The possible tests to perform on the plastic samples before use in a

commercial product are tests for solubility in water, or waterproof ability,
and other mechanical properties, such as compression strength, flexural
strength, torsional strength, impact strength, elongation, deformation.
The aforementioned tests are tests to see if the samples are suitable to
be used for packaging, especially for food. Another test is the rate of
degradation in different conditions, to know when it’ll start to degrade
and when it’ll completely degrade.

4. What are at least two advantages and two disadvantages of replacing plastic
products made from fossil fuels with products made from bioplastics?

Bioplastics are made from starch of plants, which are renewable

resources and are easy to obtain unlike crude oil. And since it is “bio”, it
can decompose naturally without turning to microplastics that can harm
the ocean and will not stay for hundreds or thousands of years. However,
there will be a contamination risk from its compost if not properly and
closely monitored. And although plants are renewable resources, its
extraction involves using of fossil fuels that are used in equipment in
obtaining and extracting the plants, which is also polluting the air.