Physico-Mechanical Properties and Taguchi Optimized Abrasive Wear of Alkali Treated and Fly Ash Reinforced Himalayan Agave Fiber Polyester Composite

The present investigation addresses the influence of fly ash filler material on physico-mechanical properties (water absorption, tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness) and abrasive wear on alkali-treated (2% NaOH) chopped Himalayan agave fiber randomly oriented compound with polyester resin. The physico-mechanical properties such as void fraction, water resistance capability, tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, and dry abrasive wear characteristics of Himalayan agave fiber/polyester composites was determined. The maximum tensile strength (30.09 MPa), flexural strength (54.51 MPa), impact strength (30.24 J/m(2)), and hardness (42.5 H-V) were observed at 15 wt.% of Himalayan agave fiber and fly ash. The abrasive specific wear rate of the composite was studied at four different factors, i.e., fiber loading (5-15 wt.%), normal load (10-30 N), fly-ash content (5-15 wt.%), and speed (50-150 rpm) using Taguchi's method L-9 orthogonal array. The study determined that the control parameters of fiber loading (15 wt.%), normal load (10 N), fly-ash content (15 wt.%), and speed (100 rpm) exhibited the least specific abrasive wear rate. The SEM analysis of worn abrasive surfaces revealed the micro-cuts, fiber breakage, micro-plowing, cracks, and wear debris as the dominant wear mechanism.