Accelerated Weathering with Humidity Effects on Physical, Surface Interfacial and Tribology Behavior of Kenaf-Pineapple Laminated Biocomposite Under Different Loading Constraint

Abstract

The development of eco-friendly materials from nature has grown much consideration from scientists due to the reduction of environmental impacts and petroleum products. The naturally derived laminated fibers reinforced bio-epoxy biocomposites have emerged as a greater alternative to synthetic fiber composites for load-bearing structural applications. The current study aimed to investigate the physical, surface interfacial, wettability, thermal degradation, and tribological characteristics of kenaf-pineapple laminates bio-epoxy biocomposites under accelerated weathering and variable humidity conditions. The results scrutinized that insertion of kenaf laminates with pineapple fibers and bio-epoxy polymer enhanced the interfacial interaction and revealed lower porosity and higher thermo-mechanical properties with greater heat dissipation and thermal stability. The accelerated weathering adversely affected the surface properties of biocomposites like hardness, thickness swelling, roughness, and hydrophilicity. The tribology behavior of laminated biocomposites has been analyzed employing a pin-on-disc tribometer at varied loading (20 N, 40 N, and 60 N) with variable sliding distances (1000 m, 2000 m, and 3000 m) under the influence of different humidity (RH30%, RH50%, and RH70%) conditions. The results observed that volume loss, friction force, coefficient of friction, and specific wear rate of biocomposites increased under accelerated weathering and higher humidity. The morphology at the worn surfaces showed interfacial debonding, cavitation, and scattering due to weathering and higher humidity. Finally, the outcomes suggested that the developed biocomposites sustained greater load with higher specific interfacial strength and had greater potential to replace synthetic materials for indoor/outdoor load-bearing applications.