Influence of Compression Molding Process Parameters in Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Hybrid Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract

In recent days, natural fibers are extremely influential in numerous applications such as automobile body building, boat construction, civil structure, and packing goods. Intensification of the properties of natural fibers is achieved by blending different natural fibers with resin in a proper mixing ratio. This investigation aims to synthesize a hybrid polymer matrix composite with the use of natural fibers of flax and loops of hemp in the epoxy matrix. The synthesized composites were characterized in terms of tribological and mechanical properties. The Taguchi L16 orthogonal array is employed in the preparation of composite samples as well as analysis and optimization of the synthesis parameters. The optimization of compression molding process parameters has enhanced the results of this investigation. The parameters chosen are percentage of reinforcement (20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%), molding temperature (150 °C, 160 °C, 170 °C, and 180 °C), molding pressure (1 MPa, 2 MPa, 3 MPa, and 4 MPa), and curing time (20 min, 25 min, 30 min, and 35 min). From the analysis, it was observed that the percentage of reinforcement is contributing more to altering the fatigue strength, and the curing time is influenced in the impact and wear analysis.

A Review on the Effect of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Tribological Properties of Biolubricants

“…Polymer Tribology is the branch of tribology that deals with the abrasion, adhesion, shear, deformation, and fatigue of polymer materials when they are in frictional contact. − Hybrid polymers are nowadays used in a wide range of tribological applications, because of their self-lubricating capabilities, acceptable range of wear resistance, low frictional behavior, and good corrosion stability . When 5% carbon nanotubes were incorporated into polymer fiber reinforced materials to make it a better performance hybrid composite, it has been found out that its wear rate decreases but COF increases …”