EFFECT OF ALKALI TREATMENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF LUFFA CYLINDRICA AND SNAKE GRASS FIBER-REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES

This study investigates the mechanical properties of Luffa cylindrica and snake grass fiber composites prepared with different combinations of fiber and resin. Fibers are produced from natural sources having good mechanical properties and eco-friendly that can be used in various engineering applications such as automobile, aerospace and automotive industries. The Luffa cylindrica and snake grass fibers will be treated for 3h with alkali (NaOH) chemical treatment. The treated fibers are then developed as Laminate composites using compression molding technique. The composites have been made in five different compositions by varying the weight percentage (wt.%) of the chemically treated Luffa cylindrica and snake grass fibers (combination of maximum 30wt.%) mixed with epoxy resin and hardener (maximum of constant 70wt.%). Bonding between the fiber and matrix plays a vital role in influencing the mechanical characteristics of composites. The five samples have been prepared from the five different compositions and undergone various studies to find its mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile test (UTS), impact test, flexural test and water absorption test. It is found that the UTS and flexural strength have been considerably enhanced by sample 2 and impact strength has been notably increased by sample 3. The microstructure of tensile-tested specimen is observed by using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It is reported that the better bonding between the fibers and matrix has been observed by SEM microstructural analysis.