Effect of load on the wear behaviour of polypropylene/carbonized bone ash particulate composite

The effect of applied load on the wear behaviour of polymer matrix composites produced using carbonized bone particles (CBp) as reinforcement has been studied. The addition of the CBp ranges from 5 to 20 wt% in the polypropylene matrix. The composites were produced by compounding and compressive moulding. The wear test was conducted by varying the applied load from 5 to 15 N. Microstructures of the worn surface were assessed with high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM/EDS). The wear rate increased with increases in applied load from 5 to 15 N and decreased with increasing in CBp from 0 to 15 wt%. The work has established that carbonized bone can be use in increasing the wear resistance of polypropylene composites.