Mechanical and dry sliding wear characterization of epoxy-TiO2 particulate filled functionally graded composites materials using Taguchi design of experiment

Titania (TiO2) reinforced homogeneous and functionally graded epoxy composites are developed by simple mechanical stirring and vertical centrifugal casting technique respectively. Investigations on mechanical and wear characteristics of TiO2 reinforced homogeneous epoxy composites and its functionally graded composite materials developed for tribological applications are presented. The effect of various operational variables, material parameters and their interactive influences on specific wear behaviour of these composites has been studied systematically. A series of test are conducted on a pin-on-disc machine with three sliding velocities of 105, 209 and 314 cm/s under three different normal loading of 20 N, 30 N and 40 N. Out of all samples 20 wt.% epoxy-TiO2 epoxy graded composites exhibited lowest specific wear rate TiO2 particle additions on epoxy graded composites have a dramatic effect on the flexural strength, tensile modulus and impact strength in comparison to homogeneous composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations also indicate that in homogeneous composites TiO2 particles are peeled off from the matrix to form holes while in graded composite materials under same experimental conditions the TiO2 particles remain quite intact to the matrix. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.