Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Vinyl Ester Hybrid Composites

Abstract

An attempt has been made to explore the effect of hybrid reinforcement on mechanical properties and dry sliding wear behavior of vinyl ester (VE) composites. Vinyl ester reinforced with alkali treated coir fibers (CF-VE), silanated aramid fibers (AFs) leading to fibridization and inclusion of coconut shell powder (CSP) with various weight proportions has been prepared resulting in hybridization. Effectiveness of treated fibers and CSP on mechanical and wear behavior of VE and their hybrids was evaluated. The density and hardness values of CF-VE composite increased steadily with inclusion of AFs and CSP. The tensile strength increased from 52 MPa at 0 wt.% AFs inclusion to a maximum of 76 MPa at 15 and 5 wt.% of AFs and CSP content. Further, it increased to a maximum of 78 MPa at 5 and 10 wt.% of AFs and CSP in CF-VE composite. The specific wear rate decreased more rapidly with the CSP content. Hence, it is deduced that hybrid VE (15CFs+5AFs) composite with 10 wt.% CSP is more effective against sliding wear. The type, geometry and dispersion of reinforcements contribute to the increased wear resistance. These results are important for the development of new composites incorporated with surface treated reinforcing materials such as CF and CSP, which will have significant application in automotive sliding or bearing components.

Wear Behaviour of Sansevieria and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy with Nanofillers: Taguchi Method

“…Qing et al [14] studied the friction and wear behaviour of short carbon fiberreinforced epoxy composites with varying nano-SiO2, and observed that 6 wt.% carbon fiber and 4 wt.% nano-SiO2 has superior wear properties. Suresha et al [15] observed that alkali treated coir fiber and silanated aramid fiber with coconut shell particles in vinyl ester influence the friction and wear behaviour of composites. Hemalata et al [16] investigated solid particle erosion wear behavior of bamboo fibre reinforced epoxy composites filled with cenosphere particles.…”

Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Woven Sisal Fabric

“…Alshammari et al studied the influence of woven jute fiber orientation on Tribological properties and Wear resistance of the composites and found to be better in the antiparallel orientation followed by parallel and then normal [10]. Udaya Kumar et al studied Mechanical and Tribological properties of Vinyl Ester alkali-treated coir fibers, silanated aramid fibers Composites and found that hybrid composite possess better mechanical and wear properties [11]. Some of the researchers observed the mechanical properties of woven banana polyvinyl alcohol [12] composites and found that mechanical properties improved by treatment and weaving [13].…”