Analyzing the impact of TiO₂ filler on the wear characteristics of flax fiber-reinforced epoxy composite using the Taguchi approach

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of titanium oxide (TiO₂) filler on the coefficient of friction (COF) and specific wear rate (SWR) in flax fiber reinforced epoxy composites (FFRCs) under abrasive wear conditions utilizing the Taguchi approach. The primary objective is to enhance wear resistance and promote the development of sustainable materials for various applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Epoxy/flax composites with varying TiO₂ filler content (0–8 wt%) are fabricated through the hand layup method. Subsequently, wear testing is conducted following ASTM G99-05 standards. The Taguchi design of experiments (DOE) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are utilized for statistical analysis.

Findings

Results indicate a significant improvement in abrasive wear properties with the incorporation of TiO₂ filler. The COF is found to be most influenced by the normal load (55.19%), followed by grit size, wt% TiO₂ filler and sliding distance. SWR is found to be most influenced by the grit size (42.92%), followed by wt% TiO₂, normal load and sliding distance. Notably, the Taguchi model aligns well with experimental results, demonstrating its efficacy in predicting the abrasive wear behavior of FFRCs.

Originality/value

This research introduces a novel hybrid composite that combines TiO₂ filler and flax fibers, showcasing their potential to enhance the tribological properties of epoxy composites. The study offers valuable insights into optimizing abrasive wear test variables in natural fiber-reinforced composites using Taguchi DOE and ANOVA, crucial for improving the performance of sustainable materials in engineering applications.

Citation

Prabhu, R., Mendonca, S., Bellairu, P.K., DSouza, R.C. and Bhat, T. (2024), "Analyzing the impact of TiO₂ filler on the wear characteristics of flax fiber-reinforced epoxy composite using the Taguchi approach", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-05-2024-0310