Optimization of dry sliding wear behavior of epoxy nanocomposites under different conditions

Abstract

This paper evaluates the wear properties of epoxy nanocomposites containing GNP (Graphene Nanoplatelets). In this research, variation of GNP (0,0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%) were used to make nanocomposites. The hand layup technique was used for the fabrication of different composites. The Taguchi method is used to optimize the wear test and its related characteristics. Analysis of variance is used to understand the correlation between input variables and response measurements. Load (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 kg) and time (4, 6, 8, and 10 min) are the main variables for exploring wear characteristics for this study. It has been discovered that minimum wear in terms of mass loss and friction coefficient are minimum at 0.5 wt% GNP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), and RAMAN spectroscopy were used to characterize the wear mechanism. The result shows that the optimized value is closer to the experimental value.