Abrasive wear behaviour of epoxy composite based on kenaf fibres

Abstract

[Introduction]: Recently, there are wide researches on the possibility of using natural fibres as reinforcement for polymeric composites. One of the most promising natural fibres is kenaf fibre, which has high interfacial adhesion with synthetic matrix, and great specific tensile modulus [1]. Few attempts have been made to study the effect of oil palm, coir, or betelnut fibres [2, 3], on tribological characteristics of polyester composites. In those works, the composites exhibited very poor wear performance. due to the poor interfacial adhesion of the fibres with the matrix leading to pulling out of the fibres during the sliding. In the current work, the effect of high interfacial adhesion kenaf fibre on the abrasive wear performance of epoxy composite was studied under abrasive loading conditions. The worn surfaces were examined using SEM.