Mechanical Characterization of Luffa-Bagasse Fiber Reinforced Polymer Based Hybrid Composite

Abstract

This research used agricultural wastes as reinforcements and epoxy polymer as a matrix to manufacture environmentally friendly composites. The fibre mat of the commonly cultivated crop Luffa aegyptica contains bundles of cellulosic fibrils with increased strength and initial modulus. The sugar industry employs sugarcane principally, but it also contains fibrous parts called bagasse that are considered agricultural waste after the juice from the cane is squeezed out. This sugarcane agricultural waste can be used for a wide range of sustainable purposes. In this research, hybrid composites reinforced with waste bagasse fibre and Luffa aegyptica fibre were created in various volume fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% weight percentages of the final composite) to assess their morphological and mechanical characteristics. Researchers have experimented with a luffa or bagasse fibre-based composites independently, but the hybrid composites used in this research (both luffa and bagasse fibre) are unique and have never been seen before. Tests using compression, tensile, flexural, and scanning electron microscopy provided varying results. The luffa-bagasse combination showed enhanced compression strength when results were compared to those from some related works (using various combinations of hybrid fibres).