Wear Behaviour of Banana Fiber Mat/Rice Husk/ Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Polymer Matrix Composites Using Taguchi Technique

The main aim of this experimental study is to investigate the wear properties of a hybrid composite material composed of a banana fibre mat, rice husk powder, and an epoxy matrix polymer filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). This research emphasizes the assessment of the composite's characteristics and behaviour. The adjustment of various ratios of fibres and fillers within polymer matrix hybrid composites finds application in numerous engineering fields, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries. The experimental evaluation is conducted using a pin-on-disk wear tester to analyze the specimens in terms of pin wear, friction coefficient, and friction force. Experimental trials were conducted using L₉ orthogonal arrays following the Taguchi design of experiments, and the output response was optimized by implementing a hybrid approach of Gray relational analysis. It depends upon the suitability of the wear performance needs of the application to obtain the optimal range of use and study of ANOVA software. The ideal conditions have been attained to minimize wear, coefficient of friction, and friction force. After the testing, the specimen's scanning electron/optical microscope images illustrate the wear and primary wear mechanisms. Confirmed experiments with optimal conditions show that the results are closer to the expected results.