Enhancing mechanical, degradation, and tribological properties of biocomposites via treatment and alumina content
S. Saravanakumar, S. Sathiyamurthy, Ravikumar Natarajan, Vishnupriya Gurunathan
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of alumina filler content and NaOH-treated Roselle fibers on mechanical, thermal, biodegradation, and tribological properties while identifying optimal conditions for eco-friendly applications. Compression molding was employed to fabricate composites, and the results revealed significant improvements in performance with chemical treatment and optimal filler content. Mechanical testing showed that the 10% alumina composite exhibited the highest tensile, flexural, and impact strengths due to enhanced interfacial bonding and uniform filler dispersion. Thermal analysis demonstrated improved stability, with the 10% alumina composite offering the best thermal degradation resistance. Biodegradation studies indicated slower weight loss for alumina-filled composites, highlighting their environmental durability. Tribological evaluations revealed that the 10% alumina composite achieved the lowest specific wear rate (SWR) and coefficient of friction (COF), supported by SEM analysis showing minimal wear debris and surface damage. Optimization using a simulated annealing algorithm identified ideal conditions (sliding velocity: 6.6 m/s, sliding distance: 500.33 m, and alumina content: 10.62%) that minimized SWR (13.28 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm) and COF (0.278). These findings provide valuable insights into Roselle fiber composites for sustainable applications in the automotive and packaging industries.