Booth Id:
ENEV033
Category:
Environmental Engineering
Year:
2019
Finalist Names:
Torres, Natalie (School: Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology)
Abstract:
This study details the effects of alkali-treated bamboo fiber on the tensile strength of tapioca-based bioplastic, by incorporating bamboo fiber treated in a 0.5 molar solution for 24
hours and washed with water and acetone. Once dried, the bamboo was ground and incorporated
into the bioplastic formulas in varying amounts (0g, 1.5g, and 2.5g). The tensile strength was
tested using the Vernier Materials and Strength tester (Model VSMT5014R1). After collecting
data, a single factor ANOVA was used to determine significance. A p-value of 4.2E-2 using an
alpha value of .05 indicated that the null hypothesis was rejected. Afterwards a post-hoc Tukey
test was used to determine between which groups there was a statistical difference. The Dmin of
7.61 indicated there was a statistical difference between the 2.5g bioplastic and the 1.5g
bioplastic. Therefore, the research hypothesis, “If the bamboo fiber is incorporated into a
bioplastic in varying quantities, then the bioplastic that contains the most bamboo fiber will have
the most tensile strength” was supported. The experiment concluded that there is an even greater
possibility of bioplastics becoming a reliable and sustainable alternative to traditional plastic.