Tribological properties of basalt-jute hybrid composite with graphene as nanofiller

Abstract

Fiber reinforced composites have wide applications, but most of them have fibers which are synthetic in nature. Synthetic fiber composites are non-biodegradable and lead to higher carbon emissions, leading to study of natural fiber composites. Natural fiber composites, especially self-lubricating natural composites are of great demand in tribological applications. Such parts are subjected to wear and tear. In the present work, bio composites are prepared of pure jute fibers, pure basalt fibers, hybrid jute-basalt fibers and hybrid jute- basalt fibers with nano graphene as fillers of different weight percentages with epoxy as matrix material. These natural fiber composites are tested for tribological properties and influence of hybridization, addition of graphene and nature of fibers at the contact surface is studied. Coefficient of friction and specific wear rate is found to be least with hybrid composite containing 0.4 wt% graphene with basalt facing at the contact surface at 1060 rpm.