Optimization and characterization of surface treated Lagenaria siceraria fiber and its reinforcement effect on epoxy composites

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the resultant optimal ultimate tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength and modulus, compression strength and impact strength of fabricated alkali-treated Lagenaria siceraria fiber (LSF)-reinforced polymer matrix composite by optimizing input factors and microstructural characterization by influencing fiber length, fiber concentration and treatment condition of LSF. Design/methodology/approach The fabrication of LSF-reinforced composite specimens involved surface treatment followed by custom experimental design using a simple hand layup process. The wear analysis was performed by a multi-tribotester TR25 machine, and the developed model was validated by using statistical software Design Expert V.8 and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The surface morphology of the sample was also analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Findings The alkali treatment for LSFs had reduced the hemicellulose, and enhanced mechanical performance was observed for 30 wt.% concentration of L. siceraria in epoxy resin. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed thermal stability up to 245°C; microstructure revealed fiber entanglements in case of longer fiber length and compression strength reduction; and the surface-treated fiber composites exhibited reduced occurrences of defects and enhanced matrix–fiber bonding. Enhanced mechanical performances were observed, namely, ultimate tensile strength of 17.072 MPa, elongation of 1.847%, flexural strength of 50.4 MPa, flexural modulus of 3,376.31 GPa, compression strength of 52.154 MPa and impact strength of 0.53 joules. Originality/value The novel approach of optimizing and characterizing alkali surface-treated LSF-reinforced epoxy matrix composite was explored, varying fiber length and concentrations for specimens by empirical relations and experimental design to obtain optimal performance validated by ANOVA. Enhanced properties were obtained for: 7 mm fiber length and 30 wt.% concentration of fiber in the composite for alkali-treated fiber.