Sujentheran Nair Kalatharan, Al Ichlas Imran, Agustinus Purna Irawan, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Tezara Cionita, Deni Fajar Fitriyana, Samsudin Anis, Rozanna Dewi, Yuris Setyoadi, Wisnu Prayogo

Mechanical Performance of Alkali-Treated Rattan Strips with Epoxy Coating for Sustainable Composite Applications

Introduction

Mechanical performance of alkali-treated rattan strips with epoxy coating for sustainable composite applications. Explore mechanical performance of alkali-treated rattan strips with epoxy coating. Discover how size & 5% NaOH improve tensile strength for sustainable composite applications.

Abstract

The use of natural materials like rattan in eco-friendly composites is gaining attention in materials engineering. However, its hydrophilic nature and interaction with other materials can affect mechanical strength. This study investigates how variations in rattan size and alkali treatment influence the tensile properties of single rattan strips through an epoxy dipping process. Rattan was prepared with varying lengths (5–15 cm), widths (3–8 mm), and a consistent thickness (0.5 mm). Alkali treatment used 5% and 10% NaOH concentrations for 1 and 24 hours. Tensile testing showed that a 5 cm × 8 mm strip achieved the highest tensile strength (49.95 MPa), Young's modulus (3562.77 MPa), and low strain (5.4%), while the 15 cm × 3 mm strip had the lowest strength (9.48 MPa) and modulus (475.69 MPa) with higher strain (10.32%). A 5% NaOH treatment for 24 hours improved adhesion and performance, while 10% caused degradation.

Review

This study presents a timely investigation into enhancing the mechanical properties of rattan strips for sustainable composite applications, a field of increasing importance in materials science. The authors effectively address a critical challenge of natural fibers—their inherent hydrophilicity—by exploring the impact of alkali treatment and epoxy coating on rattan's tensile performance. The research sets out to systematically evaluate how variations in rattan dimensions and specific alkali treatment parameters influence key mechanical characteristics, providing foundational data for the integration of this abundant natural resource into eco-friendly material systems. The premise is sound, and the general approach aligns well with current trends in developing green materials. The methodology employed systematically varies rattan length, width, and alkali treatment conditions (concentration and duration) to assess their influence on tensile strength, Young's modulus, and strain. The findings reveal a significant dependence of mechanical performance on rattan strip dimensions, with shorter and wider strips exhibiting superior tensile strength (49.95 MPa) and modulus compared to longer and narrower counterparts. Crucially, the study demonstrates that a specific alkali treatment regime (5% NaOH for 24 hours) effectively improves adhesion and overall mechanical performance, likely due to surface modifications that facilitate better interaction with the epoxy. Conversely, a higher concentration (10% NaOH) led to material degradation, highlighting the delicate balance required for optimal chemical modification. These results offer valuable insights into tailoring rattan processing for improved mechanical integrity. While the study provides compelling evidence for the potential of alkali-treated, epoxy-coated rattan, several aspects warrant further consideration for comprehensive understanding. The observed strong dependency of tensile properties on strip dimensions could benefit from a more detailed microstructural analysis (e.g., SEM) to elucidate the underlying failure mechanisms and the role of defects, potentially employing Weibull statistics for brittle materials. Furthermore, while the study focuses on single rattan strips, future work should logically extend to evaluating the performance of these treated strips within actual composite matrices to validate their applicability for structural or semi-structural components. Exploring the long-term durability, moisture absorption, and thermal properties of these modified rattan composites would also significantly enhance their appeal for practical sustainable applications.

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