Tribological performance of resin impregnated gunny (RIG) and resin reinforced honeycomb (RRH) material composites

Temptation to recycle gunny fiber and honeycomb chassis as part of tribo-composite has been realized for body shell application. In this exploration, tribological performance of resin impregnated gunny (RIG) and resin reinforced honeycomb (RRH) material composites have been studied in response to wear and frictional coefficient on dry sliding against steel counter-face using pin-on-disk (POD) influenced by applied loads (5–25 N) and sliding velocities (1.12–22.56 m/s). The specific wear rate (from weight loss) for RIG is lower approximately around 0.35 mg/N and comparable at increasing velocity at approximately 0.16 mg/N. Friction was minimized at 0.01. Compression result shows RIG has more than 8 N. The average maximum displacement is highest for RRH at 1.8 cm. Finally, the worn surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) for its wear mechanisms.

► Gunny and honeycomb composites were fabricated using hand-lay-up and cold-press techniques.
► Wear rate and frictional response was studied using pin-on-disk machine.
► Wear endurance (around 0.35 mg/N) is better performed in RRH.
► Minimum friction was 0.01 for both RIG and RRH.
► RRH deformation is due to cracking and fatigue failure.