Investigation on mechanical and tribological behavior of naturally woven coconut sheath-reinforced polymer composites

The article presents the results of experimental investigation on mechanical and dry sliding wear behavior of unsaturated polyester resin (USP), reinforced with naturally woven coconut sheath and glass fibers. The mechanical properties of coconut sheath (N) and glass fiber (G) reinforced polyester composites were studied, and the tribological behaviors were tested on pin-on-disc sliding wear tester. Mass loss was determined as a function of sliding distance for a sliding velocity of 3.5 m/s and an applied normal load of 40 N. The experimental result revealed that the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composites depend on the wt% reinforcement of coconut sheath/glass fiber and sliding distance. The hybrid reinforcement (GGN) greatly increased the mechanical properties of USP. At lower sliding distance, the N-reinforced USP had lower wear loss, whereas at higher sliding distance, the hybrid fiber-reinforced (GGN) USP composite had lower wear loss. Furthermore, the work showed that the higher sliding distance bring about changes in the worn surface features such as interface separation, inclined fracture of fibers, loss of matrix, and the appearance of debris with the two different fibers. The worn surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. The study showed differing trends with load for the two types of reinforcements. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. (c) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers