Currently, there is a demand for new engineering
materials presenting a combination of strength, low
density, processing easiness, and reduced costs. In this context,
polymer matrix composites reinforced by natural fibers
have been studied in recent years due to their ecological and
economic advantages. Some fibers are still little explored in
literature despite presenting a great potential as reinforcement
like Luffa cylindrica. The present work aims at the preparation
and characterization of a vinylester thermoset matrix
composite material reinforced by fibers of the natural
L. cylindrica fruit after modification treatments. In this study,
extraction treatments in organic solvents, mercerization, and
a quite new esterification with BTDA dianhydrides were
used and the results showed that in all cases, the composite
materials reinforced by Luffa fibers have showed improvements
in mechanical and thermal properties compared to
the vinylester matrix. As an example, 50% tensile increase
was obtained for the composite reinforced by fibers esterified
with benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride when
compared with thermoset matrix