Effect of pineapple leaf and ramie fiber length and weight percentage on the hybrid polymer composites dry sliding wear and air jet erosion studies

Abstract In this work, pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and ramie hybrid fiber‐reinforced epoxy composite samples were evaluated for their hardness strength and resistance to dry slide wear and air jet erosion. Primary reinforcement using the hybrid material was chosen from different lengths (10, 15, 20, and 25 mm) and weight percentages (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%). The hardness strength of the hybrid composite varied from 74 to 97 Shore D hardness strength. A dry sliding wear test was conducted with the key parameters of load (20, 30, and 40 N), time (20, 10, 7 min), and speed (160, 320, and 479 rpm). By using the data analyzing software, Taguchi optimization method, the key contribution parameters were identified. In the air jet erosion experiment, impact angle (45°, 60°, and 90°), erodent velocity (28, 41, and 72 m/s), and discharge rate (1, 2.5, and 3.3 g/min) parameters were used. Fiber and matrix materials agglomeration effect and bonding behavior were identified by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The 20 mm length with 30% of the PALF and ramie hybrid fiber‐reinforced composite sample achieved high hardness strength (97 shore D) and created a high resistance toward wear and erosion studies. Highlights Natural plant pineapple leaf and ramie fibers are mixed with an epoxy matrix. Used Taguchi analysis to determine the means and signal‐to‐noise ratios Different weight percentages of the PALF and ramie hybrid composites Dry sliding wear and air jet erosion studies are conducted. Individual parameter contributions were identified.