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

Authors

  • Sujentheran Nair Kalatharan Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al Sultan Abdullah
  • Al Ichlas Imran Universitas Halu Oleo
  • Agustinus Purna Irawan Universitas Tarumanagara
  • Januar Parlaungan Siregar Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
  • Tezara Cionita INTI International University
  • Deni Fajar Fitriyana Universitas Negeri Semarang
  • Samsudin Anis Universitas Negeri Semarang
  • Rozanna Dewi Universitas Malikussaleh
  • Yuris Setyoadi Universitas PGRI Semarang
  • Wisnu Prayogo Chung Yuan Christian University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26877/fm53nd79

Keywords:

natural fiber composites, sustainable materials, green materials, bio-composites, surface treatment, green engineering, rattan strips

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.

Author Biographies

  • Sujentheran Nair Kalatharan, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al Sultan Abdullah

    Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

  • Al Ichlas Imran, Universitas Halu Oleo

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Halu Oleo, 93232 Kendari, Indonesia

  • Agustinus Purna Irawan, Universitas Tarumanagara

    Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Tarumanagara, 11440 Jakarta Barat, Indonesia

  • Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah

    Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Centre for Automotive Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

  • Tezara Cionita, INTI International University

    Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, INTI International University, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

  • Deni Fajar Fitriyana, Universitas Negeri Semarang

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, 50229 Semarang, Indonesia

  • Samsudin Anis, Universitas Negeri Semarang

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, 50229 Semarang, Indonesia

  • Rozanna Dewi, Universitas Malikussaleh

    Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Malikussaleh, 24353 Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Indonesia

  • Yuris Setyoadi, Universitas PGRI Semarang

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas PGRI Semarang, 50232 Semarang, Indonesia

  • Wisnu Prayogo, Chung Yuan Christian University

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, 320314, Taiwan (R.O.C)

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Published

2025-06-26

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2025): May - July

Section

Articles