Effect of moisture absorption on the wear and dynamic mechanical behavior of polymer composites

Abstract

The present study focuses on the effect of moisture uptake of jute/epoxy, hemp/epoxy, flax/epoxy and hybrid composites (jute/hemp/epoxy, hemp/flax/epoxy and jute/hemp/flax/epoxy) on the dynamic mechanical and tribological properties. Composite specimens were developed using hand lay-up compression technique. The developed composites were dipped in normal tap water at room temperature for the span of one year. Three parameters were used to analyze the results of dynamic mechanical analysis (damping capability, storage modulus and loss modulus), and three parameters (friction force, coefficient of friction and specific wear rate) were used to analyze the wear test results. Results of dynamic mechanical analysis and wear analysis after one year of moisture absorption were compared with already published results for specimens without moisture absorption. Substantial changes were observed in each parameter of dynamic mechanical analysis and tribology test performed after one year of water immersion. Water-saturated hybrid composite jute/hemp/epoxy achieved highest reduction of 16.03% in damping capability as compared to its dry specimens. Water-immersed jute/epoxy composite achieved highest increment of 763.2% and 589.8% in the value of storage modulus and loss modulus, respectively, as compared to its dry specimen. Hybrid composite jute/hemp/flax/epoxy achieved the highest increment of 13.5% and 19.9% in the value of coefficient of friction as compared to its dry specimen at 3 and 5 m/s sliding speed, respectively. Water-immersed hemp/flax/epoxy achieved the highest increment of 228.9% and 51.56% in the value of specific wear rate at 1 and 3 m/s sliding speed, respectively, as compared to its dry specimen.