ABSTRACT
Natural Luffa cylindrica fibers were modified with 0.1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for removing lignin and hemicellulose. Natural and modified Luffa fibers were characterized by using IR spectroscopy. Composites were produced with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastisol and natural Luffa fiber. Natural Luffa fiber is a highly hydrophilic substance. This feature increased the water sorption capacity of the composites. Flexible PVC-Luffa cylindrica composites had higher liquid water sorption capacity (0.3-0.6%) compared to that of flexible PVC (0.1%). There was no volume change of composites due to liquid water sorption.
