Optimization of wear characteristics of PLA material reinforced with HAP nanoparticle by using taguchi technique

Abstract

In the field of biomedical application, the polymer composite has been played a very challenging role and its used has been increasing since it possess good tribological properties when reinforce with appropriate material. In this regard, PLA (poly lactic acid) and it's composite with HAP (Hydroxyapatite) was studied for its tribological behaviour which may be used as an implant material. PLA with varying percentage of HAP nanoparticles was examined on linear reciprocating tribometer under dry sliding test for specific wear rate. Design of experiment was based on Taguchi technique for optimizing specific wear rate parameter. In this study, effect of reinforcement and operating parameters that is load and frequency on tribological performance of PLA Nano composite was studied. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) has been used to determine the influence of each parameter on wear characteristics. Regression analysis was used to establish a regression equation between all affecting parameters. The results shows that reinforcement plays a major role while load and frequency plays an average role on wear characteristic of PLA Nano composite. It was observed that PLA reinforced with HAP nanoparticle significantly improve wear characteristic up to 5% of reinforcement while beyond it, there is reverse nature of composite. The optimum parameter for wear rate were 5% reinforcement of HAP, 80 N of load, and 7 Hz frequency.