Research Article
Development and Characterization of Fiberglass/Sponge Gourd Hybrid Composites: Effect of Water Absorption on the Elastic Behavior and Impact Strength
Ronaldo Gomes de Castro Medeiros
,
José Roberto Moraes d’Almeida*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 4, December 2026
Pages:
132-147
Received:
8 September 2026
Accepted:
23 September 2026
Published:
23 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.am.20261504.11
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Views:
Abstract: Polymer matrix composites reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers have been gaining importance in various applications. However, the environment to which the composite will be exposed can significantly influence its behavior, and humid environments can be potentially aggressive. There are few studies on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical behavior of hybrid composites with sponge gourd and glass fibers, and the effect of moisture absorption and temperature on their behavior is still little explored. Therefore, in this work, aging tests were performed on glass fiber and sponge gourd fiber composites, as well as on their hybrid composite, by immersion in distilled water at two aging temperatures (25°C and 60°C). The mechanical behavior of aged and unaged samples was evaluated through destructive impact test and non-destructive impulse excitation test. The water absorption process was also evaluated and characterized by determining the diffusion coefficients and moisture saturation values. The impact test results allowed for the identification of failure modes and the evaluation of the effect of water absorption between the two different aging temperatures. The glass fiber composites showed little variation in impact strength before and after aging. However, the sponge gourd and hybrid composites showed considerable variation in impact strength after aging. Hybridization, however, proved efficient, and the hybrid composites exhibited impact resistance superior to that of the sponge gourd composites, even after aging. Non-destructive testing allowed for the evaluation of the aging effect on Young's modulus and loss factor. Results for the hybrid composites showed that hybridization efficiently protected the sponge gourd fibers and significantly reduced the degradation of the sponge gourd composite, in addition to providing a more environmentally friendly design alternative.
Abstract: Polymer matrix composites reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers have been gaining importance in various applications. However, the environment to which the composite will be exposed can significantly influence its behavior, and humid environments can be potentially aggressive. There are few studies on the microstructural characteristics and mechan...
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