TITLE:
Physico-Mechanical Properties of Luffa aegyptiaca Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite
AUTHORS:
S. I. Ichetaonye, I. C. Madufor, M. E. Yibowei, D. N. Ichetaonye
KEYWORDS:
Luffa aegyptiaca, Fiber, Flexural, Filler Loading
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Composite Materials,
Vol.5 No.4,
October
29,
2015
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the study of moisture content, hardness, bulk density, apparent porosity, tensile
and flexural characteristics of composite properties of Luffa aegyptiaca fiber. Luffa aegyptiaca
reinforced epoxy composites have been developed by hand lay-up method with Luffa fiber untreated
and treated conditions for 12 Hrs and 24 Hrs in different filler loading as in 2:1 ratio (5%,
10%, 15%, 20% and 25%). The effects of filler loading on the moisture content, hardness, bulk density,
apparent porosity, tensile and flexural properties were studied. In general, the treated Luffa fibre
composite for 24 Hrs showed better improvement properties via addition of modified Luffa fibre
as reinforcement. However, tensile and flexural properties improved continuously with increasing
filler loading up to 20% but decreasing at 25% due to weak interfacial bonding for both untreated
and treated composite. The favourable results were obtained at 20% for treated composite at 24
Hrs especially at tensile and flexural characteristics and are suitable for mechanical applications.