Fiber loading and treatment effects on dry sliding wear of Palmyra fruit fiber composites

Abstract

This study focused on the dry sliding wear behavior of the natural fiber called borassus fruit fiber (Palmyra fruit fiber) reinforced polyester composite. Composites are molded with different fiber weight fractions. Composites are fabricated by using both the untreated and the mercerized fibers. Mercerizations of the fibers are done with 1 N solution. The structural properties like tensile, flexural, and impact strengths are experimented as per ASTM and reported. The dry sliding wear study was done using the Pin-on-Disc apparatus as per ASTM G99. In particular, more emphasis has been devoted for wear behaviors at different velocity conditions and loads. Based on the experimental data, the optimum sliding velocity and the corresponding load were suggested.

Keywords

• alkali treatment
• fiber loading
• palmyra fruit fiber
• polyester composite
• wear