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.