Effect of Luffa/Basalt Fiber Hybridization on the Mechanical and Surface Morphology of Epoxy Composites

In this present investigation, the mechanical characterization and water absorption behaviors of chopped luffa cylindrica fiber and chopped basalt fiber epoxy hybrid composites are experimentally study. These composites were developed by using hand lay-up processes with constant weight percentage of fiber and matrix as 30:70. The mechanical behaviours like as tensile, flexural, impact strength, micro-hardness and water absorption properties were examined. The FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopes) of sampled with the tensile fracture was also conducted. The finding revealed that the hybridization of luffa-basalt-epoxy composites significantly increase the tensile strength and modulus with compared to neat luffa and neat basalt fiber composites, respectively. Hybridization of luffa and basalt fiber composites raise flexural strength and modulus in a similar as tensile strength. If compared to neat basalt/epoxy composites, the moisture absorption of the luffa-basalt-epoxy composites could not be reduced by hybridization. © 2023, The Institution of Engineers (India).