Open Access

Wear Performance of Polymer Matrix Composites Reinforced with Aramid Fibers and Modified with Ceramic Nano-powders

M. Sudheer, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor, Mangaluru, KA, India B. Ravikiran Kamath, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India Raja Yateesh Yadav, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Bantakal, KA, India Vidyasagar Shetty, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India
ORCID Rajath, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India P. Akshara, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India Chidambar Kadoli, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India G. Sanjay Pai, vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India Akash Vishwanath vidyasagar.shetty@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte (Deemed to be University), NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karkala, KA, India

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Abstract

Tribology is a field that focuses on the study of lubrication, wear and friction occurring between contacting surfaces in relative motion. Polymer composites have gained attention particularly in situations where mating parts are subjected to increased wear and friction. In this work, epoxy polymer matrix is reinforced with an aramid fiber namely Kevlar and is modified with ceramic nano powders namely potassium titanate whiskers. The composites are prepared by hand lay-up followed by compression. The fabricated samples are subjected to pin-on-disc wear test as per ASTM G99-17. Experiments are designed and analyzed using MINITAB 22 following a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array with four parameters at three levels each. Density and specific wear rate of the specimens are evaluated. The density test results revealed slight improvement in the composite’s density with the increase in the nano powder content from 0 wt. % to 4 wt. %. The experimental values of specific wear rate and the S/N ratios obtained from Taguchi analysis indicated that the minimum specific wear rate was achieved for sliding velocity(A) of 2.5 m/s, normal load (B) of 90 N, powder content (C) of 4 wt. % and sliding distance (D) of 3000 m. ANOVA results indicated that the sliding distance had the most significant impact on the wear of the composites followed by sliding velocity, normal load and percentage powder content.

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