Study of the optimal ratio of biodegradable plant Pot from cassava rhizome and bagasse

Abstract

    This research aimed to study the effect of different mixing ratios of cassava rhizome waste and bagasse on the mechanical and physical properties of plant pot products. The cassava rhizome waste and bagasse were crushed into powder and sieved using a No. 80 mesh sieve. The powders were then mixed at ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, and 10:90 (cassava rhizome waste: bagasse) by weight, with wet starch used as the binder. The mixtures were processed under a compression force of 10 tons for 5 minutes. The resulting plant pots were dried at 60°C for 6 hours and then tested for mechanical and physical properties, including compressive stress, expansion rate when exposed to moisture, and deformation under actual usage conditions. The study found that a mixture of cassava rhizome waste and bagasse could effectively form plant pot products. The optimal mixing ratio for achieving the best mechanical and physical properties was 10:90 by weight. This ratio exhibited a compressive stress of 0.19 ± 2.27 N/mm², an expansion rate of 7.97% when exposed to moisture, and minimal deformation over a 14-day period of actual use. The presence of sticky fibers in bagasse contributed to better structural integrity and reduced deformation in the plant pots. These findings highlight the potential of using cassava rhizome waste and bagasse as sustainable materials for developing plant pot products with desirable mechanical and physical properties.