CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A.

Background of Study
In order to successfully form plastic masses, the use of additives and

processing aids have always been a must. Binders have been called the most
important processing additive of the Ceramic Sintering Process (also firing) and
along with other additives. The role of the binder includes aggregation and
holding the different white ware components during the firing process to acquire
clean and uniform heating while providing exceptional green strength to the
sintered parts.
Ceramic Binders are quite expensive and the utilization of Ceramic
binders from local and cheaper materials is also quite a necessity considering the
low economic status of different countries especially, Philippines. Carboxymethyl
Cellulose (a kind of binder) costs $2000-$3000/metric ton (Market Price, Hefei
Changming Co., Ltd. 2011) and are even imported from outside the country thus,
the price increases and is multiplied when it reaches the local market. The
Researchers of the study plan to use the Jackfruit peeling as the raw material of
the target alternative binder. Almost all the parts of the Jackfruit tree including its
fruit secretes latex when injured which is a good factor when it comes to binding.
The Jackfruit peeling itself also contains cellulose which is the chief component

of plants cell walls. Cellulose products such as the Carboxymethyl Cellulose are
used as binder.

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of Jackfruit peeling as the raw
material for an alternative binder. Furthermore, the study will determine the
plasticity, liquid and plastic limit of the standard white ware mass that will be
used for the plastic mass formulation.

B.

Statement of the problem

The study will evaluate the feasibility of the Jackfruit peeling as an

effective raw material in the formulation of alternative ceramic binder to standard

whiteware plastic mass.
Sub-problems
1) What are the characteristics of the new plastic masses using water as
ceramic binder and the characteristics of the new plastic masses using
jackfruit pulp as ceramic binder in terms of their:
a. shrinkage
b. modulus of rupture
c. loss on ignition

2) Is there a significant difference between the plastic masses using water and
jackfruit pulp as binder?
C.

Hypotheses
a. There is no significant difference between the new plastic masses using
water and jackfruit pulp as binder.
b. The alternative binder utilized from Jackfruit peeling is not an effective
raw material of the said formulation.
c. The plastic mass formed with the use of the alternative binder utilized
from Jackfruit peelings is not comparable to plastic masses formed with
use of artificial binders.

D.

Objectives of the study

The study aims:

1. To determine the effectiveness of the Jackfruit Peeling as raw material to
alternative binder.
2. To determine the shrinkage of the new plastic masses formed with binder
utilized from Jackfruit peeling.
3. To determine the modulus of rupture of the new plastic masses formed
with binder utilized from Jackfruit peeling.
4. To determine the loss on ignition of the new plastic masses formed with
binder utilized from Jackfruit peeling.
3

E.

Significance of the study

Considering the low economic status of many countries especially

Philippines, the need of producing alternative products in place of commercial

products have been the main pursuit of many researchers nowadays. The
importance of ceramic binders, as a part of a growing industrial country became
more apparent because of the growing needs of ceramic engineering that requires
ceramic binders, and the goal of the researchers in this study to produce a better
alternative material using the Jackfruit peeling as the raw material came in as one
of the good solutions on contributing in the economic growth of the country.
Since we import binders from outside the country, having an alternative and
cheaper binder is major step in our economy.
Besides the future contribution of this study to our economy, this study
also aims to lessen the waste level production in our society. Successfully coming
up of a way of utilizing waste products such as usually disposed jackfruit peeling
into useful products like alternative binders is also a major step in solving one of
the major problems of the country too much waste disposal.
Since Jackfruit peeling is one of the fruit which is abundant in our country,
using it as a raw material to alternative binders is one way of promoting our own
products. This study will open many opportunities especially in the field of
ceramic engineering in our country and give way to the production of binders in
our country.

The ceramic engineers in our country will no longer need to import

ceramic binders which will decrease the production price of plastic masses and
thus also decreases the price of plastic masses (porcelains, plastic wares and the
like) in the local market.
The success of this study will also give way to the exportation of binders
outside the country which will improve the net profit of the businessmen in the
country thus also improving the salaries of both employees and employers of
businesses in the field of ceramics thus again, will contribute to the economy our
country.

F.

Scope and Limitation

This study will utilize the Jackfruit peeling as the raw material to the

alternative binder; it will be mixed with water to form an alternative binder. The
study will also focus on the determination of shrinkage, modulus of rupture and
loss on ignition of the new plastic masses using water and jackfruit pulp as
ceramic binder.

G.

Definition of Terms

Jackfruit
a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family
(Moraceae). Jackfruit peeling is used in our study as the source of
5

cellulose and latex that will be the main materials needed in producing
binders.
Cellulose
a complex carbohydrate, or polysaccharide, consisting of 3,000 or more
glucose

units.

The

basic

structural

component

of plant

cell walls, cellulose comprises about 33 percent of all vegetable matter (90
percent of cotton and 50 percent of wood are cellulose) and is the most
abundant of all naturally occurring organic compounds. In ceramic
engineering, cellulose products such as Carboxymethyl Cellulose are used
as binders. Besides its latex content, jackfruits also contain cellulose.
Binder
is a ceramic ingredient which binds or holds the ceramic particles such as
clay particles and powder particles. It also gives dry and wet strength to the
body of ceramic particles. It will be the goal of the study to produce an
effective alternative binder using the jackfruit peeling as a raw material.

Ceramics
a term applied to all useful or ornamental clay objects that are baked. It
includes both pottery and porcelain. Any clay object fashioned from earth
and hardened by baking, either in the or by firing is considered pottery.
This study encompasses the formation of ceramics since it includes firing
process.
6

Shrinkage
is the rate at which the body shrinks during drying and firing. This
characteristic is interrelated and affected by the clay body formulation and
by the firing time and temperature. This study will use the determined
shrinkage of the new plastic masses using jackfruit peeling and water as
binders to evaluate the effectiveness of jackfruit peeling as raw material to
alternative binders.
Modulus of Rupture
is the ultimate strength determined in a flexure or torsion test. In a flexure
test, modulus of rupture in bending is the maximum fiber stress at failure.
This study will use the determined modulus of rupture of the new plastic
masses using jackfruit peeling and water as binders to evaluate the
effectiveness of jackfruit peeling as raw material to alternative binders.
Loss on Ignition
is a test used in inorganic analytical chemistry, particularly in the analysis
of minerals. It is designed to measure the amount of moisture or impurities
lost when the sample is ignited under the conditions specified in the
individual monograph. . This study will use the determined loss on
ignition of the new plastic masses using jackfruit peeling and water as
binders to evaluate the effectiveness of jackfruit peeling as raw material to
alternative binders.

Standard Whiteware Plastic Mass

a pre-mixed clay made of 25% ball clay, white clay, feldspar and quartz
(Valencia L.T., 2006). Standard Whiteware Plastic Mass will be formed in
the study using jackfruit peeling as its binder. Its Plasticity, Plastic Limit
and Liquid Limit will be determined and will be used as reference in
evaluating the feasibility of jackfruit peeling as binder to Standard
Whiteware Plastic Mass.

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND RELATED STUDIES

The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus or A. heterophylla) is a species

of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family (Moraceae). It is native to
parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh,
(locally called Kathal). The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the
southwestern rain forests of India. It is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of
Indian subcontinent, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia. Jackfruit is also
found

in

East

Africa

e.g.

in Uganda and Mauritius,

as

well

as

throughout Brazil and Caribbean nations like Jamaica. It is well suited to

tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-born fruit, reaching 80 pounds
(36 kg) in weight and up to 36 inches (90 cm) long and 20 inches (50 cm) in
diameter. The jackfruit tree casts a very dense shade. Heavy side branching
usually begins near the ground.
Outside of its countries of origin, fresh jackfruit can be found at Asian
food markets, especially in the Philippines. It is also extensively cultivated in the
Brazilian coastal region, where it is sold in local markets. It is available canned in
sugar syrup, or frozen. Dried jackfruit chips are produced by various
manufacturers. In northern Australia, particularly in Darwin, Australia, jackfruit
can be found at outdoor produce markets during the dry season. Outside of
countries where it is grown, jackfruit can be obtained year-round either canned or
dried. It has a ripening season in Asia of late spring to late summer.
9

All parts of the tree exude sticky white latex when injured. The latex
contains resins that may have use in varnishes. The latex also has bacteriolytic
value comparable to that of papaya latex. Additionally, the sticky latex is used for
trapping birds (birdlime) and for insect traps. The heated latex can be used as glue
for mending chinaware (a kind of whiteware known for its high strength and
impact resistance and also for low water absorption all deriving from the high
glass content) and pottery and as caulking for boats and buckets. (Elevitch &
Manner, 2006)
Whiteware is any of a board class of ceramic products that are white to
off-white in appearance and frequently contain significant vitreous or glassy
component. Whitewares are often referred to as triaxial bodies, owing to the three
mineral types clay, silica/flint and feldspar consistently found in their makeup.
Clay is the plastic component, giving shape abilities to the unfired product and
also serving as a glass former during firing. Flint is the common name used in the
industry for all forms of silica serves as a filler, lending strength to the shaped
body before and during firing. Feldspar serves as a fluxing agent, lowering the
melting temperatures of the mixture. These raw materials are mixed with ceramic
binders to hold them together and keep them intact during processing and firing.
This is necessary until the whiteware processing is complete.
A ceramic binder is a processing additive. In ceramic processing, binders
are the polymer molecules and coagulate colloidal particles that are adsorbed and
bridges between ceramic particles to provide inter particle binding action.

10

An adsorbed binder may improve the wetting of the particle. A binder

usually increases the apparent viscocity of the processing. The settling of particles
in suspension may be reduced on adding binders. The flow properties of slurry
can be controlled but binder type and concentration. The most important function
of the binder is to improve the as-formed strength of the product for handling
before firing. (Huang 2006)

Table 1 Type of Binders

Colloidal Particle Type
Organic
Microcrystalline Cellulose

Inorganic
Kaolin, Ball Clay

Organic
Polysaccharides
Polymerized Alcohol
Polymerized Butyral
Acrylic Resins

Molecular Type
Examples
Inorganic
Refined Starch
Soluble Silicates
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Organic Silicates
Polyvinyl Butyral
Soluble Phosphates
Polymethyl
Soluble Aluminates

Glycols

Methacrylate
Polyethylene Glycol

Examples
Sodium Silicate
Ethyl Silicate
Alkali Phosphate
Sodium Aluminate

Adding ceramic binder during processing and firing is also necessary to

improve the shrinkage of the material.
Shrinkage is the rate at which the body shrinks during drying and firing.
(Zamek 2003)
Drying shrinkage refers to reduction in dimension of new concrete,
dimensional lumber, cement plaster, plywood, asphalt paving and other materials

11

which have dried or experienced significant reduction in moisture content. (Geary

2011)
Firing Shrinkage on the other hand refers to the reduction in dimension
during firing.
Modulus of Rupture is the measure of the force necessary to break a
given substance across, as a beam, expressed by eighteen times the load which is
required to break a bar of one inch square, supported flatwise at two points one
foot apart, and loaded in the middle between the points of support. (Rankine
2011)

The feasibility of certain binders can also be tested using the Loss on
Ignition (LOI) test as it was used in a previous study titled The Feasibility of
Marang Peeling as Binder to the Standard Whiteware Plastic Masses by David
Dwight Alip. (Alip 2007)
Loss on Ignition test is designed to measure the amount of moisture or
impurities lost when the sample is ignited under certain conditions. (Zaidan 2011)

Another related study was conducted to determine the plasticity, liquid

limit, and the plastic limit of the plastic masses using water and marang pulp as
binder. It was titled Evaluation of the Marang Peeling as Binder to the Standard
Whiteware Plastic Masses, and it used marang pulp (considering its latex
content) as the main raw material of the binder used to form standard whiteware

12

plastic masses instead of commercial/expensive materials. A comparison was

made between marang pulp and water as binder to standard whiteware plastic
masses. Based on the results of the study, the researcher concluded that there was
no significant difference between the plastic limits of the plastic masses with
respect to the plastic masses (new and aged) and the type of binder being used.
The plasticity of the plastic masses also has no significant difference with respect
to the plastic masses being used. However, the type of binder used has a highly
significant effect in the plasticity of the plastic masses. Regarding the liquid limit,
results of the study have shown significant difference between the liquid limits
using different binders. (Cabili, 2007)
(To find another alternative binder that can be used as a binder to standard
whiteware plastic masses, the researchers of the present study will use Jackfruit
Peeling instead of Marang Pulp as binder to standard whiteware plastic masses.)
Another study titled Leatherette from Jackfruit Peelings was conducted
with the purpose of making leatherette utilizing only ripe jackfruit peelings and
gelatin. The leatherette produced showed characteristics similar to that of genuine
leather.

The said study also sought to determine the effects of the relative

amounts of gelatin to jackfruit peelings on the effectiveness of the leatherette. The

leatherette made was subjected to different tests namely, tests for pliability,
porosity, quality and force applied. Based on the results obtained from the study, it
was concluded that the more gelatin added, the stronger the leatherette. Usage of
binders other than gelatin was also recommended. It was also recommended that
the latex present in the jackfruit can be utilized as a binder. (Padate, 2001)
13

(The information gathered regarding the effectiveness of Jackfruit Peeling

as the raw material of leatherette on the said paper will be used as a reference by
the researchers of the present study.)
The related literature and the related studies gathered supports the idea of
jackfruit peeling as an effective binder to standard whiteware plastic masses since
it was said that it has latex content. Also considering the sticky nature of latex,
using it in effectively binding materials is a significant study. The raw materials in
making standard whiteware plastic masses (clay, flint and feldspar) will be used in
the study. The information about the ceramic binder will serve as a reference in
determining the effectiveness of the jackfruit peeling as binder.
The knowledge obtained about the Shrinkage Limit and Modulus of
Rupture will be useful in determining each of them accurately. The Loss on
Ignition test will also be useful in determining the feasibility of Jackfruit pulp as
an alternative ceramic binder.
Previous studies have used similar materials like marang pulp in producing
binder. Some studies have already used jackfruit peeling as a binder to different
materials such as leatherette which is mentioned previously. However, the
utilization of jackfruit peeling as a ceramic binder (which is the goal of this
present study) is a new study in providing an alternative binder that is also
comparable and similar to the commercial binders or even more effective and
efficient.

14

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A.

Research Design
Complete Randomized Design will be used in this study. The experimental

subjects are homogenous since we are only going to use one kind of standard

15

whiteware plastic mass powder. Each of the experimental subjects will be

randomly distributed to each of the two treatments of the study. The preparation
of the binder (jackfruit pulp) will be made at the researchers house and the
experimentation of that binder will be conducted at the College of Engineering
(COE) laboratory, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City.

B.

Materials and Equipments

Materials:

Jackfruit peeling (raw material to alternative binder)

Standard Whiteware Plastic Mass Powder

Spatula

Glass Panel

Tap Water

Strainer

Graduated Cylinder

Measuring Cups

Containers

Beakers
16

Rectangular Molder

Equiments:

C.

Blender

Analytical Balance

Weighing Scale

Experimental Set-up

Table 2 Experimental Set-up

Components

Treatment A

Treatment B

Jackfruit Pulp (g)

Water (mL)
Plastic mass (g)

(Jackfruit Pulp as Binder)

700g
900mL
1500g

(Jackfruit Pulp as Binder)

700g
900mL
1500g

D.

Experimental Procedure

Preparation of the Jackfruit Pulp as a Binder

Jackfruit peelings which are fresh and new including the spines and
ragging will be utilized. The peelings will be ground using the blender and sooner

17

or later, an amount of water will be added gradually to form a paste from the
jackfruit peeling. To obtain the size of the small particles, it will be strained and
preserved in a plastic bottle. Then it will be stored in the refrigerator, ready to be
used as a binder to the plastic mass.

Preparation of Plastic Mass

A volcano will be formed from the Standard Whiteware Plastic Mass
powder. For the treatment using jackfruit pulp as binder, jackfruit pulp will be
gradually added to the volcano until the mixture hardens (clay-like state). Same
will be done using water only as binder. Treatment A & C will be made earlier
than treatment B & D since we are aiming to came up with an aged plastic mass.

Drying Shrinkage
Dry Shrinkage is the shrinkage due to drying only. It is simply the percent
change in length between wet and dry. As clay dries, the removal of inter-particle
water causes the mass to tighten up and pack together resulting in shrinkage.
Variation in dry shrinkage is an indicator of changes in plasticity.

Dry Shrinkage differs from Firing Shrinkage in that the former is based on
the initial length of the test bar and the latter is based on the dry length (Hansen,
2003).
Twenty-five trials will be made for each of the treatment. The plastic mass will
be formed into a rectangular bar using a rectangular molder. The initial length of

18

the rectangular bar will be measured (L0), then, the rectangular plastic mass will
be dried using an oven. The length will be measured again (Lf).

Percent of shrinkage will be measured to determine the drying shrinkage.

To calculate the percent of shrinkage, the length after drying will be subtracted
from the initial length divided by the initial length and multiplied by 100 (as
shown in the formula below).

Drying shrinkage % =

L0 Lf
L0

x 100

Where
L0 is the initial length of the test bar and
Lf is the length of the oven- dried specimen

Firing Shrinkage
Firing Shrinkage is the amount of shrinkage during firing. As a clay fires,
it shrinks and particles continue to pack together. At some point, they begin to
break down and react with each other, fluxes begin to melt and flow, and mineral
grains seed the development of more stable forms.

19

The firing shrinkage is an indication of the degree to which the complex

maturing process has proceeded (Hansen 2003). Twenty trials will be made for
each of the treatment. The initial length of the rectangular bar obtained after the
determination of the drying shrinkage will be measured (F 0), then, the rectangular
bar will be sintered (fired). The length of the fired rectangular bar will be
measured again (Ff). Percent of shrinkage will be calculated to determine the
firing shrinkage of the rectangular bar. To calculate the percent of shrinkage, the
length after firing will be subtracted from the initial length divided by the initial
length and multiplied by 100 (as shown in the formula below).

Firing shrinkage % =

F 0F f
F0

x 100

Where
Fo is the length of the oven- dry specimen and
Ff is the length of the fired specimen

Loss on Ignition Test

To determine the LOI of the rectangular bar, its initial weight (oven-dried)
will be measured first (W0). It will then be fired/sintered and then, the weight will
be measured again (Wf) and the loss on ignition will be determined by the percent

20

of weight lost on ignition. The loss on ignition will be calculated numerically by

the formula,

% LOI =

W 0Wf
W0

x 100

Modulus of Rupture Determination

The rectangular bar will be placed above two supporting blocks. The
length and height of the rectangular bar will be measured (L and H, respectively).
Distance between the supporting blocks will also be measured (D), then, force
will be applied at the center of the rectangular bar using different weights/loads.
The total force applied the time the rectangular bar breaks apart will be measured
(F).

F=
Applied
Force

L = Length of the rectangular bar

21

H = height of
the rectangular
bar

D = distance between the supporting blocks

The Modulus of Rupture (M) will then be calculated by the

formula,

M=

3 FD
2
2 LH

Preparation of Test bars

Needed materials were gathered before molding of test bars was started. A
small amount of oil was poured into a clean molder. This was warranted to
facilitate the making of the test bar as it will just slide and will not deform (Alip
2007).

E. Data Gathering (Tables)

Table 3 Jackfruit Pulp as Binder (Shrinkage Test)

Initial OvenFired Bar
% dry
Lengt Dried Bar
Length
shrinkage
Trials
h
Length
T1
T2
.
22

%fired
shrinkage

.
.
T25

Table 4 Water as Binder (Shrinkage Test)

Initial OvenFired Bar
Lengt Dried Bar
Length
Trials
h
Length
T1
T2
.
.
.
T25

% dry
shrinkage

Table 5 Jackfruit Pulp as Binder (Loss on Ignition Test)

Oven-Dried Bar
Fired Bar
% Loss on
Weight
Weight
Ignition
Trials
T1
T2
.
.
.
T25

Table 6 Water as Binder (Loss on Ignition Test)

Oven-Dried Bar
Fired Bar
Weight
Weight
Trials
T1
T2
.
23

% Loss on
Ignition

%fired
shrinkage

.
.
T25

Table 7 Jackfruit Pulp as Binder (Modulus of Rupture)

Maximum Applied Force Distance Height
before rupture
between
supports
Trials
T1
T2
.
.
.
T25

Table 8 Water as Binder (Modulus of Rupture)

Maximum Applied Force Distance
before rupture
between
supports
Trials
T1
T2
.
.
.
T25

24

Height

Length

Modulus
of
Rupture

Length

Modulus
of
Rupture

F.

Statistical Tools for Data Analysis

T-test will be used to compare the two treatments (Jackfruit pulp and water

as binder, separately) in regards with the shrinkage, loss on ignition and modulus
of rupture of the plastic mass formulation made using the said binders.

G.

Procedure Flow Charts

350 g of Jackfruit
pulp and 450 ml
water.

350 g of Jackfruit
pulp and 450 ml
water.

350 g of Jackfruit
pulp and 450 ml
water.

Ground (Blender)

4800 ml of Binder
(Approximate Result)

Strained (Strainer)

2500 ml jackfruit pulp

(ready for use)

Figure 1.1 Preparation of Jackfruit Pulp as Binder

25

350 g of Jackfruit
pulp and 450 ml
water.

Formation the Plastic Masses using two

different treatments. (Water and jackfruit
pulp as binders)

Firing and Drying Shrinkage

Determination of plastic masses
acquired from two different treatments.
LOI test to determine the Loss on
Ignition of the Plastic masses acquired
from two different treatments.
Modulus of Rupture Determination of
the plastic masses acquired from two
different treatments.

Analysis of Data Variance using

T-Test

Figure 1.2 Experimental Methodology

26