EFFECT OF CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF LUFFA CYLINDRICA FIBERS ON THE MECHANICAL AND HYGROTHERMAL BEHAVIOURS OF POLYESTER/LUFFA COMPOSITES

Effects of surface chemical modifications of luffa fibers on mechanical and hygrothermal behaviors of polyester/luffa composites were studied. Unsaturated polyester resin was used as matrix. Untreated, alkalitreated, treated with combined process, and acetylated luffa fibers were used. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphology and chemical structure of the luffa fibers. The mechanical properties of the composites were characterized using the three-point flexural bending test. Water absorption tests were conducted on both the fibers and the composite materials by immersion in distilled water at 25 degrees C. The acetylation treatment improved the mechanical properties. As shown by infrared analysis, the process decreased the hydrophilic behaviour of the luffa fibers, improving their adhesion to the polyester matrix. The chemical modifications at the surface of the luffa fibers also decreased the diffusion coefficient and the maximum amount of water absorbed by these fibers. Moreover, it was observed that for the fibers tested in this study, the diffusion process was "Fickian" at earlier times of immersion, but became complicated towards the end of the immersion. Similar results have been obtained for composite materials at earlier stages of water immersion. The diffusion process was found to be affected by external loads applied on the exposed composite materials. As the load increased, the amount of absorbed water increased at a higher rate of diffusion.