ADHESIVE WEAR AND FRICTIONAL BEHAVIOR OF MULTILAYERED POLYESTER COMPOSITE BASED ON BETELNUT FIBER MATS UNDER WET CONTACT CONDITIONS

In the current study, a multilayered polyester composite based on betelnut fiber mats is fabricated. The adhesive wear and frictional performance of the composite was studied against a smooth stainless steel at different sliding distances (0–6.72 km) and applied loads (20–200 N) at 2.8 m/s sliding velocity. Variations in specific wear rate and friction coefficient were evaluated at two different orientations of fiber mat; namely parallel (P–O) and normal (N–O). Results obtained were presented against sliding distance. The worn surfaces of the composite were studied using an optical microscope. The effect of the composite sliding on the stainless steel counterface roughness was investigated. The results revealed that the wear performance of betelnut fiber reinforced polyester (BFRP) composite under wet contact condition was highly dependent on test parameters and fiber mat orientation. The specific wear rate performance for each orientation showed an inverse relationship to sliding distance. BFRP composite in N–O exhibited better wear performance compared with P–O. However, the friction coefficient in N–O was higher than that in P–O at lower range of applied load. The predominant wear mechanism was debonding of fiber with no pullout or ploughing. Moreover, at higher applied loads, micro- and macrocracking and fracture were observed in the resinous region.