Abstract
In this work, polymer composites were produced using polyester resin, marble and natural Luffa particles, and then their mechanical properties were subsequently evaluated. The composites were produced with marble contents of 70%, 75% and 80%, and resin contents of 20%, 25% and 30% resin, with the addition of Luffa particles at concentrations of 1% and 3%. Two types of marble sizes were used in the composites: 0.3 mm and 2.0 mm. The Luffa particles had average sizes ranging from 0.5 mm to 10 mm. It is worth nothing that such small marble particles (0.3 or 2.0 mm) are not commonly used in standard polymer concrete production, and the addition of finely ground Luffa particles as a filler is even less common. The use of marble and Luffa particles led to a 17% improvement in flexural strength, a 10.9% increase in compressive strength, and a 25% enhancement in compressive deformation compared to composites without Luffa particles. Luffa particles appear to contribute to stress absorption, as composites containing Luffa remained in one piece after the flexural tests, while those without Luffa fractured completely into two separate pieces. Moreover, composites with 0.3 mm marble exhibited better adhesion between the polyester resin and the Luffa, resulting in more effective stress distribution within the composite.
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