Influence of optimally treated Luffa cylindrica fibres on tensile and flexural characteristics of epoxy composites

Epoxy composites are reinforced with natural fibres which are replacing other synthetic reinforcement materials. Luffa Cylindrica fibre has advantage of its availability in naturally netted form. Alkaline treatment has effect on strength and wettability of Luffa Cylindrica fibres. Treatment of these fibres is optimized using Central Composite Design considering concentration of NaOH and time duration as parameters yielding 6.7MPa tensile strength and 11% elongation. Epoxy composites with optimally treated single and double layers of Luffa Cylindrica fibres are prepared and tested for tensile and flexural strengths. Maximum tensile strength of 29.9MPa for double layer is noticed in contrast to single layer with 20.67MPa in composites. Similar trend is observed for flexural strength of composites.