Characteristic Investigations on Loofah, Jute and Glass Fiber Reinforced Sandwich Polymeric Composites

Abstract

In this study, new biodegradable composites were developed with loofah, jute and commercial E-glass as reinforcing fibers and poly ester as the resin. Loofah fibers are preheated with distilled water and alkali followed by heat treatment in order to enhance its surface properties. Four composite materials are prepared by varying the proportions of natural and glass fibers in each and maintaining the resin content as a constant. The specimens were subjected to testing of mechanical properties namely tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength and impact strength. The results revealed that the mechanical properties like tensile, flexural and impact strengths were high when proportions of all fibers are equal. Also, compressive strength was higher with sample containing only loofah fibers.