Influence of Moisture Absorption and their Effect on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Coir-Luffa Fibre Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced polymeric materials are significantly more essential under the various environmental condition due to higher aging resistance and durability. Composite specimens containing luffa mate, short coir fiber with different fiber length and content were developed by simple hand lay-up method. Water retention test was conducted by the submersing specimen in distilled water for a variable time period till they achieve their saturation state. The specimen was soaked in normal water for 10 days before testing to decide the impact of water absorption on the mechanical properties. The specimen was tested for reference without water immersion. The hardness, voids, tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength behavior of water immersed specimen were conducted and compared with that of without water immersion specimens as per ASTM standard. A considerable loss in the physical and mechanical properties of coir-luffa fiber composites is observed after water absorption. Moisture absorption leads to the degradation of fiber-matrix interface region creating poor stress transfer efficiencies resulting in the reduction of mechanical and dimensional properties. Fracture surfaces of dry and wet sample of composites were observed by Scanning electron microscope