Influence of fiber orientation on high stress wear behavior of sisal fiber-reinforced epoxy composites

Sisal fiber-reinforced epoxy composites having three different fiber orientations, namely LL, LT, TT mentioned in the text were prepared and tested for their high stress abrasive wear behavior. Effect of fiber orientation, sliding distance, and load on abrasive wear of sisal-epoxy composites have been determined. Wear data of composites have been compared with the pure epoxy. Incorporation of fibers decreases the wear rate of epoxy resin, which varies with the fiber orientation. Wear rate in case of TT composite is found minimum as compared to other two composites. Wear rate follows the following trend, W-TT, < W-LT < W-LL. Owing to minimum exposed area of fiber to the sliding asperities, lowest wear rate occurs in the case of TT composite. Increase of load and sliding distance increases the wear volume in all the composites, because of the progressive loss of material. Wear mechanism has been discussed by using SEM micrographs of the worn surfaces.