Mechanical Properties of Rattan Cane (Calamus Longipinna)-Filled Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Composite

This study explored the mechanical properties of both treated and untreated rattan cane (Calamus longippina) integrated with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite. The composite was produced by mixing different amounts (5-40 g) of rattan powder, under 180 microns in size, into 40 g of LDPE. The mechanical properties of the treated and untreated composites were analyzed. The tensile strength of LDPE was reduced by 59.36% for untreated composites and 62.56% for treated ones with the addition of rattan cane filler. The elongation at break decreased by 70.82% for untreated and 69.5% for treated composites. The Young's modulus increased by 68.85% for untreated and 69.70% for treated composites as the filler content increased. Impact strength declined with higher filler content by 68.96% for untreated and 69.36% for treated composites. Hardness improved with higher filler content by 57.04% for untreated and 57.36% for treated composites. Flexural strength dropped by 59.33% for untreated and 60.69% for treated composites as filler content increased. The composite's weight loss increased with more filler, reaching a maximum of 3.7% in soil burial tests at 40% filler content. Water absorption rose with more filler, peaking at 13.18% for the 40% filler content. Adding rattan powder enhanced the mechanical properties initially, but further additions led to a decline as LDPE could not effectively transfer the load between fibers. Overall, treated composites showed better mechanical properties compared to untreated ones.

Rattan cane, Low Density Polyethylene, Mechanical properties, Filler weight, Treated, Untreated

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