In this research work, we have investigated the effect of nanoclay fillers in the epoxy adhesive on improving the interfacial adhesion and the mechanical properties of glass-reinforced aluminum laminates. The laminates were prepared with a varying weight percentage of nanoclay fillers (i.e., 3, 4, and 5 wt%) in the epoxy resin using the hand lay-up method. During the tensile test, the laminate's anisotropic nature was investigated using the samples cut in different orientations to the rolling direction (i.e., 0, 45, and 90 ). The flexural, lap shear, and impact tests were conducted as per ASTM standards. After each test, the failure mechanisms of laminates were studied using the scanning electron microscope. The results showed that 3 wt% of nanoclay added in the epoxy enhanced the laminates' overall mechanical properties than other composites. The fiber metal laminates (FML) containing the nano clay more than 3 wt% showed deterioration in the mechanical property due to the improper distribution of nanoclay in the epoxy matrix. The FML's mechanical properties with nano clay filler were compared with other fillers' performance in the previous studies. It was found that the mechanical properties of FML with nano clay filler were more significant than others.

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Purpose The purpose of this study is the influence of various combinations of metal sulfides on the tribological performance of brake pads. Design/methodology/approach Three brake pads were prepared using the possible combination of any two of the solid lubricants from Bismuth trisulfide (Bi2S3); Tin disulfide (SnS2) and Antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) are chosen and blended with molybdenum disulfide and graphite. The tribological performance was compared with the brake pad containing aftermarket sulfide mixture. The tribological performance parameters such as performance coefficient of friction, fade percent, recovery percent, wear thickness loss, time is taken to reach the maximum temperature and fluctuation of friction were investigated using Chase tribometer adopting IS 2742 Part-4 (1994) test procedure. Findings The friction stability of the brake pad with 4Wt% of MoS2, Bi2S3 and SnS2 was observed to be better, but it showed poor wear performance and aggressive towards the rotor, whereas the brake pad contained 4Wt% of MoS2, Bi2S3 and Sb2S3 exhibited improved wear performance. Originality/value This paper explains the influence of the combination of multiple metal sulfide in the tribological performance of the copper-free brake friction composite. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0249/

The agricultural waste dumped onto the land is creating an environmental problem. The conversion of those easily available agro-wastes into value-added nano reinforcement materials for biopolymers is an alternative method of waste utilization and minimization. In the current study, the red banana peduncle (RBP) waste was used as a precursor in the extraction of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CCNCs) by alkalization, acidified chlorination citric acid hydrolysis, as well as the assessment of its reinforcing capability in polyvinyl alcohol. The characterization of the extracted CCNCs is analyzed through electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The CCNCs exhibit a rod-like shape (235 ± 20 nm length and 17.2 ± 6 nm width) with a high crystallinity of 89.7%, a negative zeta potential (À48 mV), and good thermal resistivity against degradation up to 280 C. Furthermore, the effects of CCNCs integration on the bionanocomposite films' tensile, optical, bio decomposition, and thermal behavior were examined. The bionanocomposite film with improved physical, functional, thermal and bio decomposition characteristics offers the possibility for active packaging applications.