Sliding wear properties of jute fabric reinforced polypropylene composites

Abstract

Nowadays, advanced plant fiber reinforced composites have captured the attention of many important manufacturing sectors such as the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. Recently, Jute fiber reinforced composites have replaced the most widely used synthetic fiber (glass, kevlar) reinforced composites in many applications. However, only few studies have been done on the tribological behavior of woven Jute fabric reinforced polypropylene composite material. In the present experimental endeavor, compression molding is used for the preparation of Jute-reinforced polypropylene composites. The effect of Jute fabric reinforcement on the resulting composite's behavior under friction was investigated. The tribological behavior was assessed with a computerized pin-on-disc wear and friction tester at an operating dry condition and different working parameters of sliding speed (1-3 m/s), applied load (10-30 N), and sliding distance (1000-3000 m). SEM has been utilized to support the discussion of the outcomes. The results revealed that, the addition of woven Jute fabric into PP matrix increases the wear resistance properties of polypropylene based composites as there was 3.5-45% reduction in coefficient of friction values and a decrease by 65% in the r specific wear rate on account of the incorporation of the Jute fabric as reinforcement. © 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.