Influence of Nanofiller Lignite Fly Ash on Tribo-Mechanical Performance of Sansevieria Roxburghiana Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study aims to explore the modification of nanofiller lignite fly ash (LFA) on mechanical, wear, friction, and moisture intake behavior of Sansevieria Roxburghiana fiber (SRF)-reinforced epoxy composites. The matrix epoxy was modified with a filler LFA of size 20 nm with different weight proportions of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5. The composite samples with different compositions were manufactured with a hand layup method followed by a compression molding technique. The prepared samples were investigated for tensile, flexural, impact, wear, and friction properties as per ASTM standards. The optimal results on tensile, impact, flexural, wear, and friction properties were obtained with the addition of 2 wt. % filler LFA. The percentage increase in the mechanical properties was perceived as 38.33% for tensile, 41.34% for flexural, and 33.56% for impact strength respectively. Minimum moisture intake is observed for the composite samples with nanofiller LFA, the water diffusion coefficient was reduced by 55% with the incorporation of nanoparticles LFA. The rupture surface of tensile-tested specimens was inspected using a scanning electron microscope. The SRF epoxy composites possess excellent tribological and mechanical features that can be exploited as low-cost construction materials.