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has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Effects of Fiber Weight Ratio, Structure and Fiber Modification onto Flexural Properties of Luffa-Polyester Composites

  AUTHORS: Lassaad Ghali, Slah Msahli, Mondher Zidi, Faouzi Sakli

  KEYWORDS: Luffa Fibers, Composite, Flexural Properties, Fiber Weight Ratio

  JOURNAL NAME: Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry, Vol.1 No.3, December 28, 2011

  ABSTRACT: The effect of chemical modification, reinforcement structure and fiber weight ratio on the flexural proprieties of Luffa-polyester composites was studied. A unsaturated polyester matrix reinforced with a mat of Luffa external wall fibers (ComLEMat), a short Luffa external wall fibers(ComLEBC) and a short Luffa core fi-bers (ComLCBC) was fabricated under various conditions of fibers treatments (combined process, acetylat-ing and cyanoethylating) and fiber weight ratio. It resorts that acetylating and cyanoethylating enhance the flexural strength and the flexural modulus. The fiber weight ratio influenced the flexural properties of com-posites. Indeed, a maximum value of strength and strain is observed over a 10% fiber weight ratio. The uses of various reinforcement structures were investigated. The enhancement of elongation at break and the strain values of the composite reinforced by natural mat was proved.