Natural particles e.g. in a form of wooden powder but also of fruits residues serve for decreasing costs and for an optimization of some mechanical characteristics in the area of composite materials. For this reason, in this study, a first mechanical characterisation (Hardness) and a tribological characterisation of an epoxy matrix filled with secondary commodities coming from the pressing process of Jatropha curcas L. seeds was carried out. Three different materials have been used as reinforcement of the composite material: Whole seeds (SC), Seed shells (S) and Seed kernels (SKC). A ball-on-flat tribometer with reciprocating motion was employed with frequencies of 5Hz and 10Hz. The tribo test was carried out by using an 8 mm diameter steel ball of AISI 420C (X46Cr13) sliding on a flat specimen of the investigated composite materials without presence of lubricant (dry conditions). The flat specimens of the composite material were made with three different reinforcement concentration (10%, 15% and 20%) materials for any part of the JL seeds used (SC, S and SKC). With the purpose to assess the wear mass loss in the tribo-test a gravimetric analysis was accomplished. An electron microscope was used for the evaluation of particle topography in the worn area af the specimen, after tribo-tests, and in interfacial interaction in this area. 3D topography analysis was carried by using a Confocal Microscope in order to obtained qualitative information on the wear process. From a comparison of the tribological response to the various types of reinforcement, it has emerged that the lower coefficients of friction and wear rate are realized with a reinforcement constituted by the core of the seed (SKC). The gravimetric survey conducted revealed a greater resistance to wear in the composites made with the seed core (SKC). In fact, The lowest value, of the wear mass loss, of the whole series of experiments was obtained in the case of specimens with 20% of reinforcement seed core (SKC) and with 10 Hz of reciprocating motion of the ball on the specimen. This value was of 0.07 mg.

Tribological investigation of epoxy/seed particle composite obtained from residues of processing Jatropha Curcas L. fruits

Alessandro Ruggiero
;
2019-01-01

Abstract

Natural particles e.g. in a form of wooden powder but also of fruits residues serve for decreasing costs and for an optimization of some mechanical characteristics in the area of composite materials. For this reason, in this study, a first mechanical characterisation (Hardness) and a tribological characterisation of an epoxy matrix filled with secondary commodities coming from the pressing process of Jatropha curcas L. seeds was carried out. Three different materials have been used as reinforcement of the composite material: Whole seeds (SC), Seed shells (S) and Seed kernels (SKC). A ball-on-flat tribometer with reciprocating motion was employed with frequencies of 5Hz and 10Hz. The tribo test was carried out by using an 8 mm diameter steel ball of AISI 420C (X46Cr13) sliding on a flat specimen of the investigated composite materials without presence of lubricant (dry conditions). The flat specimens of the composite material were made with three different reinforcement concentration (10%, 15% and 20%) materials for any part of the JL seeds used (SC, S and SKC). With the purpose to assess the wear mass loss in the tribo-test a gravimetric analysis was accomplished. An electron microscope was used for the evaluation of particle topography in the worn area af the specimen, after tribo-tests, and in interfacial interaction in this area. 3D topography analysis was carried by using a Confocal Microscope in order to obtained qualitative information on the wear process. From a comparison of the tribological response to the various types of reinforcement, it has emerged that the lower coefficients of friction and wear rate are realized with a reinforcement constituted by the core of the seed (SKC). The gravimetric survey conducted revealed a greater resistance to wear in the composites made with the seed core (SKC). In fact, The lowest value, of the wear mass loss, of the whole series of experiments was obtained in the case of specimens with 20% of reinforcement seed core (SKC) and with 10 Hz of reciprocating motion of the ball on the specimen. This value was of 0.07 mg.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/4721829
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