Investigation on Polymer Composite Materials Wear Reinforced by Microparticles of Jatropha Curcas L. Waste

Abstract

Abstract The subject of the paper is a research on the wear resistance by friction against loosely fixed abrasive particles on a polymer composite material reinforced by waste microparticles from a pressing process of Jatropha curcas L. seeds with concentration from 5 to 20 wt.%. The seed pressing waste was used in form of Whole seeds cake (WSC), Seed shells (SS) and Seed kernels cake (SKC). The waste, which is difficult to further utilize for its inability to use as feed, arises at the pressing process of Jatropha Curcas L. seeds. A matrix of composite materials was epoxy-based. The wear tests were performed by the device Tester T-07 according to GOST 23.208-79. An addition of the filler significantly increased the wear resistance by friction against a rubber wheel with loosely fixed abrasive particles of sand. The wear resistance was increased up of 69% to 82% at tested polymer composite systems against matrix (resin). Composites materials with the filler Whole seeds cake (WSC) achieved the best results.