Effect of alkali treatment on wear behaviour of walnut shell reinforced bio-composites

Abstract

In this study, the tribological behaviour of composites reinforced with walnut shells (0 % to 10 % at 2 % interval) has been investigated. The pin-on-disc machine is used us to observe the impact of walnut shell addition on the wear properties of the composite. An increase in walnut shell content is associated with diminished wear resistance. Inadequate adhesion among the fibre and the matrix was also identified as the cause of this wear strength degradation in testing results. Pre-treatment of walnut shell with sodium hydroxide increases wear resistance by strengthening matrix adherence to fibre. Different normal loads (from 6 N to 48 N), sliding velocities of 100 cm/s, and sliding distances (SD) of 0 to 2000 m were all considered in the experiments. The findings revealed that operation settings and filler reinforcement have an important impact on the wear behaviour of composite containing walnut shell filler. In comparison to dry and hot contact, the specific wear rate (SWR) is nearly 7 to 8 times lesser in wet conditions. Additionally, equated to a composite with a higher filler loading, the performance of one with a lesser loading of walnut shell filler was superior in terms of wear.