Experimental Investigation into the Properties of Luffa Cylindrica Natural Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Polymer composites of Epoxy resin with reinforcement of Luffa Cylindrica newlinefibres and SiC particulates are investigated for Mechanical, Thermo-Mechanical newlineand Tribological characteristics. newlineCentral Composite Design of Experimental technique is used for alkali newlinetreatment of Luffa Cylindrica fibres considering time duration and percentage newlineNaOH. Six hours of time duration and ten percentage of NaOH are optimal newlinetreatment combination and Luffa Cylindrica fibres are treated accordingly. newlineComposite fabrication is carried out by hand lay-up technique and double newlinelayer of Luffa Cylindrica reinforcement is considered as it results in better newlinemechanical strength. Hybrid Epoxy composites are fabricated with SiC newlineparticulates of 1.5%, 3.5%, 5.5% and 7% by weight. All the composites are newlinethermally cured at 100°C for two hour prior to testing. newlineComposites are tested for mechanical characteristics as per ASTM newlinestandards. Strength is maximum at 5.5 wt% SiC addition for tension and flexure. newlineOn the other hand, 3.5 wt% SiC reinforcement has yielded maximum impact newlinestrength. newlineDynamic Mechanical Analysis of composites is carried out as per ASTM newlinestandards for thermo-mechanical characteristics. Composites have exhibited newlinemaximum storage modulus in 30°C to 70°C and the lowest loss modulus is newlineobserved for 3.5 wt% SiC particulates. Least damping ratio is also noticed at 3.5 newlinewt% SiC particulates. However, highest glass transition temperature is observed newlinefor reinforcement of SiC particulates by 7 wt%. newlineThree-body wear tests according to ASTM standards are used for newlineTribological characteristics of composites. Tests are planned as per Central newlineComposite Design and subsequent Analysis of Variance of results has indicated newlinewt% SiC, Load and Distance are significantly affecting wear of composites. Effect newlineof Load is maximum followed by Distance and wt% SiC as per their respective newlinepercentage contribution on wear. Increase of either Distance or Load or both newlineresulting in increase of wear of composites is noticed. But, wear of composites newlinereduces w