Sponge Gourd (Luffa Cylindrica) Reinforced Polyester Composites: Preparation and Properties

Increasing environmental concern along with the drive to find substitutes for synthetic fibers and value added applications for low cost and renewable plant fibers have led to the development of composites based on biomaterials. One of the drawbacks encountered in such exercise is the lack of adhesion between the incorporated plant fibers and synthetic polymeric matrices. Such drawback can be reduced by appropriate treatment of fibers. This paper describes the chemical treatments used on sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) fibers of Brazil to prepare their composites with polyester resin. Production of short fiber-polymer composite as well as mat-polyester composites is presented here. Characterization of the composites in respect of evaluation of density, water absorption, thermal stability, tensile properties and impact strength were made and the results are discussed. Observed impact strength and tensile properties are discussed based on the fractographic studies of the composites.