Solid particle erosion study on redmud - an industrial waste reinforced sisal/polyester hybrid composite

Erosion resistance of the redmud filled and unfilled sisal fiber reinforced hybrid composites were tested by solid particle erosion test as per ASTM standard G76. Erosion parameters such as erodent velocity, impact angle and erodent discharge rate were considered for conducting experiments and erosion rate was analysed. Taguchi analysis of erosion test result shows that erodent velocity, red mud particle proportion and erodent discharge was prominent in deciding the erosion loss in the composites. When compared to unfilled composites addition of redmud on the polyester composite showed better resistance against erosion wear. Redmud addition changes the ductile nature of the composite so maximum erosion rate was noted at lower impact angle. When increasing the erodent velocity, the erosion rate of the composite was increased. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis evident the formation of plastic deformation and fiber damage on the eroded surface.