Sponge Gourd Fibers Research Articles

Advantages of treating sponge-gourd waste by mechanical refining on the properties of fiber-based poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/polylactide biocomposites.

This study compares the morphology, thermal, and dynamic-mechanical properties of composites based on polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polylactide biocomposites with sponge gourd waste treated code as R, and non-treated sponge gourd, coded as NR, by mechanical disc refining after milled process. Extrusion followed by compression molding was used to produce biocomposites with fiber contents of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15% wt/wt for R and NR sponge gourd fibers. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals that NR has the morphology of a rigid tubular shape, whereas R is a thinner, twisted, and fibrillated fiber. Regardless of the type of sponge gourd fiber used, the thermal stability of the composite decreases as the sponge gourd content increases. At 25°C, the biocomposite with 10%wt/wt R fiber has the highest storage modulus value. The comparison of Tangent  peak values reveals that the presence of sponge gourd fibers reduces the energy dissipation of the biocomposites. The analysis of the loss modulus at 25°C reveals that R fiber contributes more to the reduction of energy dissipation of the biocomposites than NR. Furthermore, the Cole-Cole plot shows that R and NR fibers are dispersed and do not significantly change the homogeneity of the biopolymer systems.

Influence of Silanization Treatment of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica) Fibers on the Reinforcement of Polyester Composites: A Brief Report.

Natural lignocellulosic fibers (NLFs) have been extensively investigated and applied as reinforcements for polymers composites owing to improved properties associated with their cost-effectiveness and their sustainable characteristics as compared to synthetic fibers. However, an intrinsic difficulty of the hydrophilic NFL adhesion to a hydrophobic polymer matrix is still a major limitation, which might be overcome via fiber surface treatments. Among the less-known NLFs, sponge gourd (Lufta cylindrica) is a promising reinforcement for polymer composites owing to its natural network of intertwined fibers. The present work investigated for the first time the influence of a chemical treatment using silane as a coupling agent for 30 wt.% sponge gourd incorporated into a polyester matrix composite. The novel composite performance was compared with that of an untreated fiber composite via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Charpy impact tests, and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The XRD results revealed that the silanization increased the crystallinity index by 37%, which attests to the effective fiber–matrix interaction stretching of the C-H bond, as observed in its FTIR band. The silanization also increased the mean impact resistance by 10%. Although the temperatures associated with the beginning of the thermal degradation by the TGA were not affected, both the silane-treated fibers and composite displayed less thermal degradation compared with the untreated fibers. The scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) results disclosed an improved sponge gourd fiber morphology after the silanization, which caused greater adherence to the polyester matrix. These results revealed a promising novel composite compared with other NLF polymer composites in engineering applications.

The effect of fibre contents on mechanical and moisture absorption properties of gourd sponge/coir fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

The present investigation deals with matured sponge gourd which has been amalgamated with coconut coir as reinforcement along with epoxy resin as matrix in a composite. This study has been carried out to explore the impact of change in weight percentages of sponge gourd fiber and coir on the mechanical properties and moisture affinity. The experiments revealed that the tensile and impact strength increases with coir addition, whereas, flexural strength increases with sponge fiber content. The maximum moisture resistance was achieved when the sponge fiber and coir content was equal by weight.

Fabrication, Characterization and Moisture Absorption Analysis of Sponge Fiber-Coir Reinforced Epoxy Resin Hybrid Composite

Natural fiber reinforced composites are gaining popularity over conventional materials due its low cost, easy accessibility, non toxicity and most important feature - the biodegradability. Since broad varieties of natural fibers are available on earth, hence their merits can be incorporated in one by means of hybridization. Matured sponge gourd, which turns into a net structured fibrous mass on sun drying, is amalgamated with coconut coir as reinforcement along with epoxy resin as matrix material in a composite. The present study was carried out to explore the impact of change in weight percentages of sponge gourd fiber and coir on the mechanical properties and moisture affinity. The alkali treated fibers were turned into composites by dint of Hand Layup technique. The various mechanical properties were evaluated according to ASTM protocol. After the successful conclusion of the experiments, it was found that composite with maximum weight percentage of coir showed superlative tensile and impact strength whereas the composite with highest sponge fibre content showed maximum flexural strength. The composite with equal sponge fiber-coir weight percentage displayed lowest affinity towards moisture.

Improvement in mechanical properties of sponge-gourd fibers through different chemical treatment as demonstrated by utilization of the Weibull distribution model

ABSTRACTSponge-gourd natural fibers obtained from Luffa cylindrica plant were chemically treated separately using 5−15 wt% NaOH, acetic anhydride and benzoyl chloride solutions. Surface morphological, mechanical and thermal characteristics of untreated and chemically treated fibers were studied. Untreated and modified surfaces of the fibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tensile tests were carried out by equal length of single fibers to obtain their mechanical properties. The two-parameter Weibull distribution model was applied to find the variation in mechanical properties. Tensile strength, elastic modulus and thermal stability of the fibers were found to significantly increase after chemical treatment.

Material properties of sponge-gourd fiber–reinforced polylactic acid biocomposites: Effect of fiber weight ratio, chemical treatment, and treatment concentrations

Sponge-gourd fibers (SGFs) were subjected to chemical treatments such as alkalization, acetylation, and benzoylation by 5−15 wt% sodium hydroxide, acetic anhydride, and benzoyl chloride solutions, respectively, in order to improve fiber–matrix adhesion. SGF-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites were fabricated using melt compounding technique. Both untreated and chemically treated fiber-reinforced composites were subsequently characterized by using a field emission scanning electron microscope, a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, an X-ray diffractometer, a universal testing machine, and a thermogravimetric analyzer. Structural analyses show that the chemical treatment improves the crystallinity of SGF and exhibits chemical bond formation in the SGF-reinforced PLA composites. Surface morphology indicates that after the treatment of fibers and increase in the treated fiber content, the interfacial adhesion between PLA and fibers is improved. The effects of fiber loading of chemically treated SGF on physical and mechanical properties of the composites were analyzed. Compressive strength of the composites was increased by 10–35% with incorporation of treated fibers into the PLA matrix. The thermal stability of them is found to increase significantly. Soil burial test has confirmed that the composites are biodegradable. Benzoylation of SGF shows superior mechanical properties and enhances thermal stability among the composites.

Effect of Chemical Modifications on Surface Morphological, Structural, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Sponge-gourd Natural Fiber

Sponge-gourd (SG) natural fibers obtained from Luffa cylindrica plant were chemically treated separately using alkali (5, 10, and 15 wt%), acetic anhydride (5, 10, and 15 wt%), and benzoyl chloride (5, 10, and 15 wt%). Both untreated and chemically treated SG fibers (SGFs) were subsequently characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, an X-ray diffractometer, a universal testing machine, and a thermogravimetric analyzer. Surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy shows that the alkali treatments promote better outer surface layer than other treatments of the SGF with the exposition of inner fibrillar structure, thereby increasing roughness of the fiber surface. Alkali treatment also improves the crystallinity and exhibits new chemical bond formation in the SGF. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus have been analyzed through a two-parameter Weibull distribution model, where a significant increase in mechanical property of benzoylated fibers has been observed. The thermal stability of the modified fibers is also found to increase by acetic anhydride treatment.

Preparation and Characterization of Raw and Chemically Modified Sponge-Gourd Fiber Reinforced Polylactic Acid Biocomposites

This research work has been undertaken to fabricate environmentally friendly biocomposites for biomedical and household applications. Sponge-gourd fibers (SGF) obtained from Luffa cylindrica plant were chemically treated separately using 5 and 10 wt% NaOH, acetic anhydride and benzoyl chloride solutions. SGF reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites were fabricated using melt compounding technique. Surface morphological, structural, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as antibacterial activities of raw and chemically modified SGF reinforced PLA (SGF-PLA) composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, universal testing method, thermogravimetry, and Kirby-Bauer agar diffusion method, respectively. Surface morphology indicates that after treatment of fibers, the interfacial adhesion between PLA and fibers is improved. X-ray diffractometry result shows that chemical treatment of fibers improves the crystallinity and exhibits new chemical bond formation in the composites. After chemical treatment, compressive strength of the composites is found to increase by 10% - 35%. The thermal stability of the treated fiber reinforced composites is also found to increase significantly. The composites have no antibacterial activities and no cytotoxic effect on non-cancer cell line. Soil burial test has confirmed that the composites are biodegradable. Benzoyl chloride treatment of fibers shows superior mechanical properties and enhances thermal stability among the composites.

Superparamagnetic nano-biocomposites for application as dielectric resonator antennas

There is a growing global interest for the development of green technologies that allow the use of products with less damage to environment, as well as for maximum and sustainable use of natural resources. The main aim of this study was to develop superparamagnetic nano-biocomposites for application as dielectric resonator antennas, from a combination of a cardanol-based thermoset plastic, chemically modified sponge gourd fibers (NaOH 10% and NaClO 1 wt%), and magnetite nanoparticles in different contents (1, 5, and 10 wt%). The magnetite particles exhibited nanometric size, high purity and crystallinity, and superparamagnetic character. All nano-biocomposites showed superparamagnetic behavior, excellent thermal stability, good biodegradation rates, and better mechanical strength for the material with magnetite 10 wt%. All dielectric resonator antennas showed satisfactory return loss and suitability for technological applications, especially for performance in broadband.

Dynamic-Mechanical Performance of Sponge Gourd Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

The engineering applications of natural materials to replace synthetic ones has marked increased in past decades owing to environmental, societal and economical issues. Among these natural materials, the lignocellulosic fibers obtained from plants are successfully being used as polymer composites reinforcement is substitution of the traditional glass fiber. One relatively unknown lignocellulosic fiber with potential for composite reinforcement is that extracted from the sponge gourd. In the present work, the dynamic-mechanical performance of unsaturated orthophtalic polyester matrix composites was evaluated for different volume fractions of continuous and aligned sponge gourd fiber reinforcement. The results revealed that an increasing incorporation of sponge gourd fiber improved the composite viscoelastic stiffness, while decreasing its glass transition temperature.

Evaluation of Water Absorption Effects on the Mechanical Properties and Sound Propagation Behavior of Polyester Matrix- Sponge Gourd Reinforced Composite

This study aimed to evaluate the variation of the mechanical properties of a polyester matrix composite reinforced by sponge gourd fibers as a function of immersion time in water. The characterization of the composite was performed using bending mechanical test and a sonic test. The Young's modulus and the sound propagation characteristics of the composite were evaluated as a function of immersion time. The water diffusion coefficient was also determined. The results indicate that the percentage of water absorbed increases rapidly, but stabilizes at around 2 weeks after the start of the absorption process. The variation of elastic modulus and damping factor showed a direct correlation with water content in the composite, and both properties remained constant when the absorbed water content stabilized. These results were interpreted as an indication that the composites suffered only physical aging due to water absorption, at the immersion times used in this work. The mechanical properties evaluated by the bending test decreased after absorption of water, but the obtained variations were small. The results obtained indicate that the absorbed water acts as a plasticizer in this composite, but does not cause chemical aging.

Cardanol-based thermoset plastic reinforced by sponge gourd fibers (Luffa cylindrica)

A growing global trend for maximum use of natural resources through new processes and products has enhanced studies and exploration of renewable natural materials. In this study, cardanol, a component of the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), was used as a building block for the development of a thermosetting matrix, which was reinforced by raw and modified sponge gourd fibers (Luffa cylindrica). DSC and TG results showed that among biocomposites, the one reinforced by sponge gourd fibers treated with NaOH 10 wt% (BF10) had the highest thermal stability, besides the best performance in the Tensile testing, showing good incorporation, dispersion, and adhesion to polymer matrix, observed by SEM. After 80 days of simulated soil experiments, it has been discovered that the presence of treated fiber allowed better biodegradability behavior to biocomposites. The biobased thermoset plastic and biocomposites showed a good potential to several applications, such as manufacturing of articles for furniture and automotive industries, especially BF10.

Chacterization of Tensile Strength Dependence with Diameter of Sponge Gourd Fibers by Weibull Statistical Analysis

Lignocellulosic fibers with relatively unknowns mechanical properties such as those extracted from the sponge gourd, are being investigated as polymer composites reinforcement. The use of natural fibers are related to environmental , technical, economical and social advantages. An important possibility of improving the mechanical properties is the fact that lignocellulosic fibers may present tensile strength inversely correlated with their diameter. Therefore, this possibility was investigated in the present work regarding sponge gourd fibers by means of the Weibull statistic analysis. The results supported a hyperbolic inverse correlation between the strength of sponge gourd fibers with their diameter. Scanning electron microscopy observation of fibers with different diameters revealed possible mechanisms for the strength inverse correlation with diameter.

Characterization of banana, sugarcane bagasse and sponge gourd fibers of Brazil

In recent times, increasing attention has been paid to the use of renewable resources particularly of plant origin keeping in view the ecological concerns, renewability and many governments passing laws for the use of such materials. On the other hand, despite abundant availability of lignocellulosic materials in Brazil, very few attempts have been made about their utilization, probably due to lack of sufficient structure/property data. Systematic studies to know their properties and morphology may bridge this gap while leading to value addition to these natural materials. Chemical composition, X-ray powder diffraction, and morphological studies and thermal behavior aspects in respect of banana, sugarcane bagasse sponge gourd fibers of Brazilian origin are presented. Chemical compositions of the three fibers are found to be different than those reported earlier. X-ray diffraction patterns of these three fibers exhibit mainly cellulose type I structure with the crystallinity indices of 39%, 48% and 50% respectively for these fibers. Morphological studies of the fibers revealed different sizes and arrangement of cells. Thermal stability of all the fibers is found to be around 200 °C. Decomposition of both cellulose and hemicelluloses in the fibers takes place at 300 °C and above, while the degradation of fibers takes place above 400 °C. These data may help finding new uses for these fibers.