The present work aims to study the moisture uptake and thickness swelling behaviour and its effect on tensile and flexural properties of Luffa cylindrica epoxy composite. Characterizations of the luffa fibre surface were carried out by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Composites were casted with single, double and triple layer of Luffa cylindrica fibre reinforced with epoxy resin by general hand-layup technique. Moisture uptake tests of composites were conducted by subjecting the composite samples in three different environments such as distilled water, saltwater (5% NaCl solution) and sub-zero temperature (–25°C). The diffusivity constant, thickness swelling rate parameter (KSR) and equilibrium moisture content were found out. The result indicates that moisture absorption pattern follows the Fickian diffusion behaviour for composites in all three environments. As the fibre layer increases, the percentage of moisture uptake increased due to high cellulose content. The mechanical properties of the composites were decreased with moisture absorption. Scanning electron microscope study was carried out to study the fracture behaviour of tested samples.

This study is aimed at the potential use of a new natural fiber in polymer based composites (Eulaliopsis binata fiber) as a reinforcing material whose potential for tribological applications is still an unexposed area of research. The characterization studies of the fiber has been carried out with XRD, EDS, and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Different weight percentages (10, 20, 30, and 40%) of short fiber were taken as reinforcement with epoxy polymer resin and hardener to study the tensile, flexural, and impact strength as well as the abrasive wear behavior of the developed composites. The experimental results indicate significant improvement in the mechanical and wear properties of epoxy with the incorporation of Eulaliopsis binata (EB) fiber. The composites containing 30 and 20 weight fraction of Eulaliopsis binata fiber exhibit optimum mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, respectively. The fractured and worn surfaces of the composites were studied under SEM to find out the failure mechanisms.

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