Wear characteristics of epoxy based hybrid composites reinforced with short hair fibers and glass micro spheres

Abstract

This paper reports on the sliding wear behavior of a class of hybrid composites consisting of epoxy, short human hair fibers and glass micro-spheres. Human hair is a biological waste which creates many environmental problems due to its low rate of degradation. But it also has many unique properties like low thermal conductivity, higher strength in tension, unique chemical composition, higher elasticity, scaly surface etc. Although a number of ways are in place for the utilization of waste human hair such as in fertilizers and pesticides, in cosmetic industries, artwork, fabrics, stuffing toys, household items etc., its use in polymers as a reinforcing element has not been researched properly. In view of this, the present work makes an attempt to fabricate a class of hybrid polymer composites reinforced with short human hair fibers (SHF) and solid glass micro-spheres (SGM). SGM (10wt.%) filled epoxy matrix composites are prepared with four distinct fiber loading (0, 2, 4, 6 wt.%). Mechanical properties such as tensile, compressive and flexural strengths are evaluated by conducting tests as per appropriate ASTM standards. Using a friction and wear test rig of pin-on-disc type sliding wear tests are performed on these composites as per ASTM G99. Four process parameters and each at four levels are considered for the experimentation. In order to identify the significant control factors influencing the wear rates of these composites a design of experiment approach based on Taguchi’s orthogonal array is adopted. Effects of SGM and hair fiber reinforcement on the mechanical and wear characteristics of epoxy have been studied. The test results are compared with those obtained for composites with only SHF reinforcement under similar test conditions. It is found that while reinforcement of short hair fiber enhances the wear performance of epoxy, addition of SGM further improves it. Armed with a fairly good wear resistance, these composites can possibly have potential applications such as in brake shoes, brake pads etc.