TITLE:
A Comparative Study on Dry Sliding Wear Characteristics of Al2O3 and Bone Powder Filled Hybrid Composites
AUTHORS:
Sudeep Deshpande, T. Rangaswamy
KEYWORDS:
Al2O3, Bone Powder, Wear Test, Taguchi Analysis, SEM
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.4 No.2,
March
30,
2016
ABSTRACT: The aim of the research was to develop E-glass/jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites with an addition
of Al2O3 and bone powder by using hand layup technique and to compare tribological properties
of these composites under similar test conditions. The wear experiments were designed
according to Taguchi’s (L27) orthogonal array with three control variables such as sliding velocity,
filler content and normal load. The results indicated that the normal load for Al2O3 and filler content
for bone powder emerged as the significant factors affecting specific wear rate of hybrid
composites. An addition of 10 wt% of bone powder or Al2O3 into E-glass/jute fiber reinforced
epoxy composites increased the wear resistance considerably, and natural waste bone powder can
be used instead of ceramic filler Al2O3 in hybrid composites. After the analysis of control factors,
an optimal factor setting has been suggested for specific wear rate and coefficient of friction. Further,
the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images for worn surfaces of hybrid composites were
studied. Finally, a confirmation test was carried out to validate the results.