Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of alumina filler content and NaOH-treated Roselle fibers on mechanical, thermal, biodegradation, and tribological properties while identifying optimal conditions for eco-friendly applications. Compression molding was employed to fabricate composites, and the results revealed significant improvements in performance with chemical treatment and optimal filler content. Mechanical testing showed that the 10% alumina composite exhibited the highest tensile, flexural, and impact strengths due to enhanced interfacial bonding and uniform filler dispersion. Thermal analysis demonstrated improved stability, with the 10% alumina composite offering the best thermal degradation resistance. Biodegradation studies indicated slower weight loss for alumina-filled composites, highlighting their environmental durability. Tribological evaluations revealed that the 10% alumina composite achieved the lowest specific wear rate (SWR) and coefficient of friction (COF), supported by SEM analysis showing minimal wear debris and surface damage. Optimization using a simulated annealing algorithm identified ideal conditions (sliding velocity: 6.6 m/s, sliding distance: 500.33 m, and alumina content: 10.62%) that minimized SWR (13.28 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/Nm) and COF (0.278). These findings provide valuable insights into Roselle fiber composites for sustainable applications in the automotive and packaging industries.
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