Himalayan Natural Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites: Effect of Grewia optiva/Bauhinia Vahlii Fibers on Physico-mechanical and Dry Sliding Wear Behavior

The physical, mechanical, and sliding wear properties of Grewia optiva and hybrid G. optiva/Bauhinia vahlii fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Results reveal that 6 wt.% hybrid G. optiva/B. vahlii fiber-added composites resulted in highest physical (void content, water absorption) and mechanical (impact energy, hardness, tensile, and flexural strength) properties. An L27 orthogonal array of Taguchi method was implemented to extract the optimal level of control factors. The optimal combination of control factors for achieving lowest wear rate was obtained as 4 wt.% fiber content, 2.5 m/s sliding velocity, 15 N normal load and 2000 m sliding distance.