Erosion wear performance of borax filled novel hybrid composites by using the Taguchi experimental design

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to examine solid particle erosion behavior of novel hybrid composite materials where borax (B2O3) particles (∼150 μm) were added to glass fabric and epoxy resin at an amount of 15 and 30 per cent. Design/methodology/approach – The tests that involved slightly rounded and irregular Al2O3 particles having two erodent sizes (200, 400 μm) were conducted at these operational conditions; namely, three impact velocities (23, 34, 53 m/s), two fabric directions (0/90/0, 45/−45/45) and three impingement angles (30°, 60°, 90°). In addition, the design of experiments, which utilizes Taguchi’s robust orthogonal arrays approach, was used and an optimum parameter combination was established, which had a minimum erosion rate. Moreover, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction views show the visual effect of filler material. Findings – All test specimens regardless of their dissimilar characteristics displayed maximum erosion rate at 30° impingement angle. Test specimens with 45/−45/45 fabric direction are more wear-resistant than their counterparts with 0/90/0 fabric direction. The erosion wear of glass fabric reinforced epoxy (GF/EP) composites whose matrix had 15 per cent addition of borax particles was higher than that of neat GF/EP composites. In addition, new composite material formed by including borax particles at a rate of 30 per cent of resin leads to a reduction in erosion rates. Originality/value – While fabric-reinforced polymers take place in most of the studies conducted on erosive wear of composites, studies involving erosion on composites with filler materials can hardly be encountered.