Study of tribological behavior using the Taguchi method and pin-on-disc machine along with mechanical properties of hybrid polymer composites

Polymer composite with a high strength-to-lightweight ratio is very much in trend in aviation and metro cabins, sports, and medical equipment. This research develops and tests a hybrid polymer composite laminate (HPCL) using hand lay-up and compression molding techniques. Epoxy is used as the matrix for creating Kevlar/banana fiber (KBF) and nanographene oxide (GO)-reinforced composites with varying GO weight percentages (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%). Wear analysis is conducted through a design of experiment approach and ANOVA to examine the effects of parameters like filler weight percentage, normal load, velocity, and sliding distance on weight loss. Sliding distances (200–500 m), normal loads (5–20 N), and velocities (1–4 m/s) are tested. Mechanical tests reveal maximum tensile strength (300.18 MPa), flexural strength (425.56 MPa), hardness (85.68), and interlaminar shear strength (42.23 MPa). Among the composites, the KBF/epoxy composite with 0.5 wt.% GO shows improved mechanical properties, while GO reduces wear and weight loss. Worn surfaces, analyzed by tungsten-scanning electron microscopy (W-SEM), support these results. The highest impact strength of 771.6 J/m is found at 0.25 wt.% GO. Hence, with all these properties, HPCL was found to be one of the best alternatives to conventional composites.

Graphical Abstract