Taguchi approach for comparative optimization of tribological behavior of glass fabric reinforced epoxy composite with and without graphene-nano platelets filler

In the present research work, the tribological behavior of glass fabric reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composite was investigated under different weight percentages (wt%) of graphene nano-platelets (GNP). The composite specimens with different weight percentages (0.5 wt%) and (1 wt%) of GNP are used as filler material. Experimental study conducted on a pin on disk wear testing tribometer TR20 by using the Taguchi’s orthogonal array L934 and the disk was made of steel (EN31) having a hardness of (HRC60). There are four specimen parameters viz. normal load, filler content, sliding velocity, and sliding distance that are used for testing parameters. Taguchi’s DOE, the S/N ratio, and ANOVA results were applied to determine the optimum level and to identify the most significant process parameters affecting the COF and the SWR. From the experimental results, the performance of GFRE composite considerably improves with the increased inclusion of GNP particles, whereas wear resistance increases negligibly with the inclusion of 1 wt% of GNP as compared to 0.5 wt% of GNP. The FESEM analysis of the worn surface has been used to examine the wear behavior and the abraded surface of tribological samples.