Mechanical and Abrasive Wear Behavior of Coleus Spent Filled Unsaturated Polyester/Polymethyl Methacrylate Semi Interpenetrating Polymer Network Composites

Abstract

Mechanical properties and three-body abrasive wear behavior of 5 and 10% w/w bio-based coleus spent (CS) filled and unfilled semi interpenetrating polymer network composites of unsaturated polyester/polymethyl methacrylate (80/20) have been studied. The tensile strength and elongation at break has been evaluated using 4302 Hounsfield Universal testing machine. The effect of abrading distances viz., 150, 300, 450, and 600 m and different loads of 22 and 32 N at 200 rpm on the abrasive wear behavior have been studied using dry sand/rubber wheel abrasive test rig. The CS filler lowered the mechanical properties and improved abrasion resistance of USP/PMMA SIPN. The tensile strength of the composites lies in the range of 25.0-33.1 MPa. The wear volume loss and specific wear rate as a function of abrading distance and load were determined. The wear volume loss increases with increased abrading distance/load for all composites tested. However, the specific wear rate decreased with an increase in abrading distance/load. CS filled USP/PMMA SIPN composites showed better abrasion wear resistance as compared to unfilled USP/PMMA SIPN. The worn surface features have been examined using scanning electron microscope. Also, the wear volume loss was correlated with the product of tensile strength and elongation at break.