In this research work a biodegradable polymer is obtained from the mixture of potato starch with chitosan, obtained from the squid pen. The proportion of chitosan and starch was investigated by mixing different weight percentages of starch and chitosan, to determine the mechanical characteristics, such as the tensile and biodegradability test. Starch films and chitosan films were prepared to evaluate their mechanical properties separately from which a maximum result of 10.17 MPa for starch films and 46.766 MPa for chitosan films was obtained. While the starchchitosan compound had a maximum resistance of 24.59 MPa. With these results we can indicate that starch improves the properties of chitosan films. The mechanical properties of the starch-chitosan compound is superior to that of some conventional plastics, such as in comparison to low density polyethylene having a resistance of 17.3 MPa.

This research focuses on the search for materials susceptible to being alkaline activated for the generation of new geopolymer materials (alternative to fly ash and blast furnace slag). The potential use of volcanic ash from the Ubinas volcano (located in Moquegua, Peru) for geopolymer synthesis has been studied. NaOH solution has been used in different concentrations for the activation of volcanic ashes. The effect of the concentration of the NaOH solution on the mechanical properties (compressive strength and porosity) of the hardened specimens has been analyzed. Systems activated with solutions of 6, 9 and 12M has shown a good mechanical performance due to the formation of the main reaction product (N-AS -H gel) and a good wear resistance. The efflorescence effect when using high alkali contents has affected the wear results. This research opens a new gate to the use of this type of materials of volcanic origin and their use as resistant materials to wear and abrasion.