Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Epoxy Filled Luffa cylindrica reinforced composites

Sponge-gourds, the fruit of Luffa cylindrica, are widely used throughout the world. Despite that, there is lack of scientific data, concerning thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of these fibres. Sponge-gourds biocomposite, a novel use of these Fibres, helps for a better understanding of their surface characteristics and is necessary to maximize their potential use. In this work, different chemical treatments were conducted on the fibres with aqueous solutions of NaOH (2%) at distinct treatment times. L. cylindrica was characterized via chemical analysis and analytic techniques. In the current work, epoxy resin is chosen as matrix and Treated Luffa cylindrica is chosen as reinforcement. Different weights of modified Luffa cylindrica fibres has been incorporated into the Epoxy matrix in order to study the variation of Mechanical properties like Flexural strength, Tensile strength and impact strength of the micro hybrid composite, which are studied by UTM (Universal Testing Machine). (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.