2. Experimental
2.1. Materials
The raw materials involved in the fabrication were Epoxy resin LY 556, Luffa Fiber, Ground nut shell,
Hardener HY951, and Mansion Wax. Luffa fiber and ground nut are randomly oriented in polymer matrix. Samples
are to be prepared with alkali treated fibers. Luff and ground nut shell were alkali-treated in 2% NaOH solution for
30 min to remove any greasy material and hemi cellulose, and then dried in sun light. The single fiber was used in
making the luffa fiber and ground nut epoxy composite.
2.2. Material Preparation
Luffa cylindrica (LC) is a tropical plant belonging to the family of Cucurbitacea, The fruit of this plant has a
vascular system with a fibrous arrangement [9]. Raw luffa fibers were cut lengthwise and the middle part was
removed. Finally the fiber was cut to 10mm to 20mm long segments as shown in figure 1. The Botanical name of the
groundnut is Arachis hypogeal which belongs to Leguminosae family, as shown in fig. 2(a) and 2(b). Groundnut
shell is protecting cover of the pod is also known as a seed, former one having higher mechanical properties. The
reported average length, thickness and density of the groundnut shell were 38 mm, 0.25 mm and 1.06g/cm3
respectively