Effect of Rubber Wood Ash on the Properties of Starch-Based Foams

Abstract

Cassava starch-based foams containing rubber wood ash (RWA) filler (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 15 wt.%) were prepared by baking process. Density, morphology and water adsorption of starch foam were investigated. The density of controlled starch foam was 0.21 g/cm3, whereas the density of composite foams was in the range of 0.19 g/cm3 to 0.30 g/cm3. Scanning electron microscopy showed that amount of rubber wood ash increased, the cell size of starch foam decreased corresponding with the density results. Moreover, addition of RWA improved water resistance of the starch foams.