Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Rubber Wood Powder (Hevea Brasiliensis) Reinforced Epoxy Composite

Abstract

In the present work rubber wood powder filled epoxy composite with filler content from 5 to 20 wt. % were prepared in order to improve the abrasive wear and mechanical properties of epoxy. Tensile strength and impact strength were determined experimentally. Abrasive wear test was conducted using pin-on-disc wear tester. Composites having 5, 10, 15, and 20 weight fraction of rubber wood powder filled epoxy have been prepared in the laboratory by using a self-designed mould. All the experiments were conducted as per ASTM standard. It was found that as the reinforcement increases from 5 to 20 wt. % the wear resistance as well as mechanical properties of composite increases. The enhancement in these properties is related to strong bonding between the rubber wood powder and epoxy which might have happened due to formation of an interphase between the rubber wood powder and epoxy-matrix. SEM (scanned electron microscope) studies were also carried out to know the fracture behaviour of the composite.