Parametric optimization and ranking analysis of basalt fiber–marble dust particulates–polyamide 66 polymer composites under dry sliding wear investigation

Abstract

In this research work, hybrid polyamide 66–basalt fiber (10 wt%)–marble dust particulates (0–20 wt% with a variation of 5%) polymeric composites were designed and prepared through the injection molding method. Each composition sample was analyzed for its physical, mechanical, and thermal behavior. The Taguchi methodology was adopted to design experimental runs of dry sliding wear and for input operating parameter optimization, along with analysis of variance. Using a scanning electron microscope, worn-out surface micrograph examinations were carried out to comprehend wear mechanisms across the surface. Furthermore, a decision-making tool such as a hybrid Analytic Hierarchy Process – R method (hybrid AHP-R method) was applied to determine the ranking of the composites based on performance measures. The composition having polyamide 66 supplemented with 15 wt% marble dust particulate and 10 wt% basalt fiber tends to optimize overall performance measures. It shows voids content of 5.80%, water absorption of 2.54%, tensile strength of 117 MPa, flexural strength of 154 MPa, impact strength of 2.8 J, Rockwell hardness of 64 HRM, thermal conductivity of 1.11 W/mK, fracture toughness of 4.7 MPa√m, and specific wear rate of 7.05 × 10−4 mm3/Nm, respectively. Thus, it optimizes overall performance measures along with steady-state dry sliding wear behavior, which is in tune with the ranking results obtained by the hybrid AHP-R method.