Mechanical properties of bio-fiber composites reinforced with luffa cylindrica irradiated by electron beam

Abstract

This investigation aims to analyze the effects of electron beam irradiation on the morphological and mechanical properties of green composites synthesized using natural fibers of luffa cylindrica (LC) and biodegradable polymer poly (lactic) acid. This work aims to transform the low priced, readily available, agricultural waste product LC fiber into a high value product. The major challenge during the fabrication of natural fiber composites is the chemical bonding between hydrophilic LC fiber and hydrophobic poly lactic acid (PLA) matrix. Due to the disagreeing chemical nature of fiber and matrix, they are not compatible. The fibers are exposed to physical treatment, i.e., electron beam irradiation of different doses 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 10.0 Gy using 6 MeV medical linear accelerator to increase the compatibility of LC fiber with PLA. Before irradiation, LC fibers are modified with calcium salts to explore the use of composite materials in biomedical terrain. When PLA is reinforced with irradiated LC fiber, tensile strength increases by 79.87% and flexural strength increases by 177%. Mechanical parameters generated by flexural and tensile tests of this study can be explored to have various clinical applications like bone implant, replacement of cervical cavities, etc.