Impact of alkali treatment and fiber length on mechanical properties of new agro waste Lagenaria Siceraria fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Composite laminates are prepared based on new agro waste of 4% alkalitreated and untreated Lagenaria siceraria fiber (LSF)-reinforced epoxy resin using four different fiber lengths of 3, 5, 7, and 9 mm with five different fiber contents of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 wt% by compression mold technique. The composite laminates were cut according to ASTM standard dimensions to test its mechanical properties like tensile, flexural, compression, and impact strength. The mechanical properties are enhanced for increase in the fiber length upto 7 mm and 30 wt% of untreated and treated fiber; however, further increase (such as fiber content and fiber length) in parameters causes decrease in mechanical properties for both treated and untreated LSF-reinforced composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fractured composite laminates studies was carried out to analyze the fiber-matrix interaction. The composite reinforced with 7 mm fiber length and 30 wt% of alkali-treated fiber composites exhibits better mechanical properties compared to other combination.