Improvement in mechanical properties of sponge-gourd fibers through different chemical treatment as demonstrated by utilization of the Weibull distribution model

Sponge-gourd natural fibers obtained from Luffa cylindrica plant were chemically treated separately using 5-15 wt% NaOH, acetic anhydride and benzoyl chloride solutions. Surface morphological, mechanical and thermal characteristics of untreated and chemically treated fibers were studied. Untreated and modified surfaces of the fibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tensile tests were carried out by equal length of single fibers to obtain their mechanical properties. The two-parameter Weibull distribution model was applied to find the variation in mechanical properties. Tensile strength, elastic modulus and thermal stability of the fibers were found to significantly increase after chemical treatment.