HYDROPHOBIC SURFACE COATING:
UTILIZING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
COLOCASIA ESCULENTA (TARO) WAX IN
IMPROVING THE LONGEVITY OF STEEL
AND WOODEN MATERIALS
Awitan, Amaezza Nichole SJ.
Ballesteros, Joy Marie U.
Corales, Louise Lane A.
de Lima, Jirah Kim Y.
Delizo, Ken Bryan M.
Dorado, Johndel P.
Rubiales, Paula Mae V.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Wooden and steel materials play a vital role in the
construction and furniture-making industry. However,
topics such as the durability of a construction materials
and its reaction to climate, water and other substances
have been a problem to the industry. According to
Shaw and Kelly (2006), all material types are
susceptible to degradation, including woods, corrosion
is the degradation of metal, materials due to exposure
to water, in which oxygen is present.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Input Process Output
Epicuticular wax from Making an oil-base Improved longevity
Taro leaves varnish that acts as a and durability of
surface coating by wood and steel.
combining the
epicuticular wax and
Tung oil, linseed oil,
orange essence,
camellia oil, and
turperentric essence.
After combining
these ingredients, add
a carnauba wax
which is known for
its glass and wear
resistance.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Epicuticular wax is actually the researcher aim to
improve the longevity of steel and wooden
materials. According to the [Link] for
over 100 years now, using wood material in
construction has been a widespread in the
Philippines and steel material has been the most
prevalent construction material of the era.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
However, these two materials will deteriorate if the
water gets in causing the materials to become weak.
Metals are prone to corrosion, or the formation of
rust (Fe2O3) or Iron oxide. It is formed when iron,
which is the main component of steel reacts to
oxygen which is mostly happens when the materials
are exposed to water. Wood on the other hand when
exposed to water may host fungi or other organisms
that may initiate decay.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In this research, the researchers will seek alternative
solution to these problem with the use of the protective
coating made from epicuticular wax derived from Taro
leaves. The coating will serve as an environmentally
healthy substitute to paint and varnish.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Taro is known for its super hydrophobic surface
characteristics due to the presence of 1-octacosanal on
its leaves (Shawal, 2014). 1-octacosanal is a chemical
found in plants, in this research, the exact chemical
would be extracted to be used for its hydrophobicity.
The researchers aim to make materials that will be
applied with bio-wax to become water repellant thus
making it stronger. In result, it would be more efficient
and durable.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of the study will be great use to the
construction industry with the innovation and the
resourcefulness it has. This study shall be beneficial to
various groups of people;
Community
Students
Future Researcher
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of the study is to utilize
the effectiveness of Colocasia Esculenta (Taro)
plant’s epicuticular wax in developing a protective
covering to steel and wooden materials that will
prevent exposure to water and moisture. The
specific objectives of the study are the following:
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
the effectiveness of epicuticular wax derived from
Colocasia Esculenta, as a hydrophobic surface
coating on steel and wooden materials,
identify the downsides and concerns the experiment
may come with and produce solutions to such; and
assessing the effectiveness of the product it will
undergo Heat Resistance Test and Water Immersion
Test to measure its durability and longevity.
SYNTHESIS
Taro leaves possesses a super hydrophobic
property that prevents water from adhering to its leaf,
this is due to the presence of 1-octacosanol. This leads
to the conclusion that extracting the bio-wax from the
leaves of Colocasia Esculenta would be a great
hydrophobic coating for wooden and steel materials.
METHODOLOGY
In order to assemble accurate and precise data for
this quantitative research, researchers conducted an
experimental study to utilize the effectiveness of taro
leaf wax to improve the longevity of steel and wooden
material. In this research taro will be collected and
forwarded to Laguna University's Biological Science
Laboratory to be washed and air dried. The dried taro
leaves will be sent to Laguna State Polytechnic
University Los Baños Campus Science Reasearch
Laboratory to be extracted.
METHODOLOGY
Lastly, the raw epicuticular wax obtained from the
process will be plunged with hot acetone and then
cooled at room temperature to obtain its crystallized
form. Afterwards the researcher will be performing
Water Immersion Test, treated and untreated wood
plank and iron nail. In that case, the researcher could
know if the hydrophobic property of Taro Leaves is
effective and useful in improving the life of wood and
steel materials.
