Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine the type of molding material and the sealing temperature in the formation of ecofriendly plastic bags made from a Modified Starch – Glucomannan – Polyvinyl Alcohol – Polycaprolactone (MSGPVAPCL) biothermoplastic composites. The study used a factorial randomized block design experiment. Factor 1: the type of molding material consists of Teflon and acrylic while factoring 2: the sealing temperature with levels of 90, 95, 100, 105, and 110 °C. Mechanical, physical, biological and chemical characteristics were observed. The research results show that the type of teflon molding material and the sealing temperature of 105°C gave the best characteristics of ecofriendly plastic bags with a tensile strength value of 28.62 MPa, elongation at break of 8.68%, Young's modulus 449.44 MPa, a heat seal tensile strength on the bag handle of 6.10 N, a heat seal tensile strength on the bag bottom of 4.10 N, tear strength direction longitudinally of 3.61 N, transverse tear strength of 1.78 N, WVTR of 91.23 g/m2/day, swelling of 5.31% and biodegradation time of 7.00 days, the maximum evaporation temperature of 72.43 °C, degradation temperature of 220.97 °C and a weight loss of 30.07%, a crystalline degree of 20.71% and an amorphous degree of 79.29%, a smooth longitudinal surface profile with slight waves and a transverse surface profile showing the presence of waves and fine fibers, containing functional groups O-H alcohol, C=O, C=C, C-O and (CH2)n and no heavy metals were detected.