Abstract
The feasibility study aimed to create a manufacturing facility for the production of the Skyjack sealant, a sealant with the jackfruit-based latex as its main component. It is used to cover gaps in order to prevent fluids from entering, and also serves as a protection by using it as a coating. Skyjack company’s main goal is to develop an affordable sealant that will meet the criteria of needs of the aviation industry for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance. In general, commercial sealants are used in a wide range of industries, including electronics, maritime, aerospace, and construction. The large and continuously growing demand for sealants proves that the project is sustainable. This project will be able to add to the supply of affordable and high-quality sealants nationally and internationally, maximize local resources, and create employment. Along with a few other chemical elements, jackfruit latex contains both cis-1,4 polyisoprene and trans-1,4 polyisoprene. Since Artocarpus heterophyllus’ polymer chains are substantially shorter than those of Hevea brasiliensis’, it cannot serve as a substitute for natural rubber, which is the most widely used rubber. As a result, jackfruit latex cannot be utilized to replace natural rubber (NR), but it can be used as a low molecular weight natural resin, particularly to enhance tires’ wet skid resistance (WSR) and to better disperse carbon black in rubber compositions.
Keywords: Artocarpus heterophyllus, aviation, sealant, natural rubber
Bionote
Sweetzel Jane S. Geron is a senior Aeronautical Engineering student at PATTS College of Aeronautics. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to her academic growth by successfully completing various training programs and workshops. Noteworthy among her accomplishments is the HEATCON Composite System Training undertaken in 2022, followed by the Maintenance Repair Overhaul Training in 2021. Furthermore, Ms. Geron’s scholarly contributions extend beyond her studies. She is a Co-Author of a research paper that was presented at the Philippine Aviation Research Conference (PARC) in September 2021. Additionally, she holds the position of an affiliated member within the Aeronautical Engineer Research Organization, a distinction she has upheld since 2019 to the present day.