Influence of woven bast-leaf hybrid fiber on the physico-mechanical and sliding wear performance of epoxy based polymer composites

Epoxy composites reinforced with novel bast (Bauhinia vahlii) fiber and leaf (sisal) fiber combinations are designed, fabricated and characterized for physico-mechanical and sliding wear properties. The densities, void contents and the water absorption of these developed composites remain between the range of 1.247–1.254, 0.24%–0.48% and 0.147%–0.230%, respectively. The mechanical (impact energy, tensile strength, hardness and flexural strength) properties were found to increase with fiber reinforcement and remains highest for 6 wt% hybrid fiber content. The sliding wear tests were carried out as per Taguchi experimental design and L₁₆ orthogonal array was utilized to study the impact of various combinations of control factors on wear rate. Analysis of variance investigation was conducted to determine the significance of each control factor on wear rate. The experimental outcomes demonstrated that fiber content is the most significant factor influencing the wear rate followed by sliding distance, normal load and sliding velocity. To study the possible wear mechanism, the worn surfaces of the composites were examined using scanning electron microscopy. (paper)