Tensile and compressive behaviour of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) matrix and its composites reinforced with fibers of Luffa cylindrica (LC) have been studied. LC fibers were subjected to chemical treatments such as alkali activation by NaOH followed by bleaching and acid hydrolysis in order to improve fiber-matrix adhesion. Both treated and untreated LC fibers are modified with calcium phosphate. The presence of hydroxy apatite, a polymorph of calcium phosphate and a major constituent of vertebrate bone and teeth, was confirmed from XRD peak of treated LC fiber. XRD analysis of the treated LC fiber has confirmed the crystalline nature of the chemically treated LC fiber by its crystallinity index. The effects of fiber loading of chemically treated and untreated LC fiber on ultimate stress, yield strength, breaking stress, and modulus of the composites were analyzed. The tensile and compressive modulus of the composites were increased with incorporation of both treated and untreated LC fibers into the RF matrix. The modulus of composites with treated LC fiber was enhanced compared to that of the untreated fiber composites. Furthermore the values of ultimate stress, yield stress, and breaking stress were increased with the incorporation of treated LC fiber in the composites.
In view of biomedical applications of cellulose fibers in orthopedics, dentistry and reconstructive surgery, Luffa cylindrica (LC), a local forest product of Orissa, India, has been used for preparation of alkali treated LC fiber modified with calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate separately by following standard procedures. FTIR and Raman spectra were obtained for these samples at wavelength range 500-4000 cm −1 and 300-3000 cm −1 respectively. Lattice structures of cellulose i.e., crystalline cellulose and amorphous cellulose were detected using Raman spectroscopy and discussed. The property of cellulose such as its degree of crystallinity was determined from intensity of FT IR peaks and was found to be 74.12%. The presence of calcite and hydroxy apatite, polymorphs of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate respectively were confirmed in the treated modified LC fibers which can be used as bioactive materials.
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