Influence of suspended cenospheres on the mechanical characteristics and wear loss of natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites: implications for biomedical applications and sustainable material management

The need for non-conventional natural fibres for synthesis of hybrid composites has gained momentum in the recent past. Taking into consideration this need, in the current study, hybrid composites were fabricated by reinforcing wood apple shell powder and coconut shell powder, in the resin with varying amounts of cenospheres (up to 20 wt% in increments of 5 wt%) to evaluate their mechanical and tribological properties. The densities of these composites were directly correlated with the quantity of additives utilized. Enhanced tensile and flexural properties were noted in composites containing 10 wt% cenospheres, along with 15 wt% wood apple shell powder and coconut shell powder, compared to other formulations. Dry sliding wear tests were performed at room temperature using a pin-on-disc apparatus, considering loading factors, travel distance, and speed. A hybrid composite consisting of 10 wt% cenospheres, subjected to a normal load of 10 N (1.02 kgf), and tested at a sliding speed of 1.5 m s⁻¹ (90 m min⁻¹) over a distance of 500 m, exhibited superior wear resistance compared to all other composite variations.