An Investigation into the Mechanical and Wear Characteristics of Hybrid Composites: Influence of Different Types and Content of Biodegradable Reinforcements

This research work focuses on the wear characteristics of hybrid composites prepared using Sisal fiber (SF) /Pineapple fiber (PF) and Pineapple fly ash (PA) in various wt.%. Linear reciprocating tribometer was used for determining the Specific Wear Rate (SWR) and Coefficient of Friction (CoF) of the hybrid composites. The XRF results of PA filler showed the existence of silica (64.43%) and aluminum oxide (10.03%) in a major percentage. The hybrid fiber combination of 30-50 wt.% showed improvement in Tensile Strength (TS), Flexural Strength (FS) and Impact Strength (IS) with the filler mixing up to 5 wt.%. The Taguchi optimization (SN graph) observed the combination with PA addition of 5 wt.%, hybrid fiber addition of 30 wt.%, sliding distance and load of 1500 m, 10 N having lower SWR. Similarly for lower CoF, fly ash of 1 wt.%, fiber of 30 wt.%, sliding distance and load of 500 m and 5 N, respectively, with high SN ratio is the best combination. SEM results showed a decrease in filler content, higher load conditions, higher reinforcement causing more surface deformations in the composites.

Automated summary

This research focuses on the wear characteristics of hybrid composites prepared using Sisal fiber /Pineapple fiber and Pineapple fly ash. The addition of fly ash and fibers in certain proportions can improve the mechanical properties of the materials. The Taguchi optimization method is used to find the best combinations with lower SWR and CoF.