Tribological Properties of Cyperus pangorei Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites (Friction and Wear Behavior of Cyperus pangorei Fiber/Polyester Composites)

This paper investigated the tribological behavior of natural fiber-reinforced polyester composites. The Cyperus pangorei (CP) fiber and polyester were used as a reinforcement material and thermosetting matrix, respectively. The composites were fabricated using compression molding technique with 40 wt% of CP fiber. Technological properties such as density, hardness, and wear of the composite specimens were determined. The density and shore D hardness of the prepared specimens were 1.0176 g/cc +/- 0.106 and 87.25 +/- 4.1, respectively. A pin-on-disk wear test machine was used to conduct the dry sliding wear test with constant sliding distance; various sliding velocities of 1, 2, and 3 m/s; and a range of contact pressure of 0.13-0.38 MPa. After the wear test, the surface roughness of worn specimens was measured. The specific wear rate increased when the applied load was increased on the specimen. A non-linear decrease in coefficient of friction was observed with the combination of increasing contact pressure and decreasing sliding velocity. The morphological analyses were carried out using a scanning electron microscope for the worn specimens.

Automated summary

This study investigated the tribological behavior of natural fiber-reinforced polyester composites using CP fiber and polyester as materials. The composites were fabricated and tested for wear performance, showing an increase in specific wear rate with higher loads and a non-linear decrease in friction coefficient with increasing contact pressure and decreasing sliding velocity. Morphological analysis was conducted using a scanning electron microscope on the worn specimens.