Preparation and mechanical characterization of luffa fibre reinforced low density polyethylene composites

In this study, luffa fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were prepared. Luffa fibres were processed with a range of chemicals and enzymes prior to composite production to improve the properties of the resulting composites. These treatments include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment and modification with laccase enzyme solution. The effect of pre-Treatments on luffa fibres was studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface porosity of the luffa fibre mat was calculated using image analysis software. The geometry of luffa mat before and after the treatments was compared. Luffa fibre reinforced polyethylene (PE) composite plates were produced using compression moulding technique. The mechanical properties of the composites with treated and control (without treatment) fibres were evaluated by means of tensile tests.