Three body abrasive wear assessment of novel jute/natural rubber flexible green composite

Abstract

Determining the resistance to abrasion of the flexible cladding for armours and automobile structural components with the aid of lab scale tests has become increasingly important. In the present study, three body wear behaviour of flexible green composites comprising of jute in woven fabric form with interleaved natural rubber sheets bonded through rubberized B stage cured Pre pegs have been studied. Flexible composites are fabricated in three different configurations having different layers of jute and rubber. The present study makes use of silica sand as the abrasive medium. The specific wear rate along with loss in mass and volume of the composite due to wear is determined and it was found that specific wear rate is dependant of the sliding distance. Comparing the specific wear rate of all the three stacking sequences, it was found that JRJ stacking sequence provides better wear resistance. Compliant and tough nature of the rubber makes it hard to wear it out through tearing action and also the wear resistance of flexible composites is enhanced with inclusion of rubber. Mechanism of wear in each of the constituent used is studied. The present study serves as a benchmark work for the future research in this area. © The Author(s) 2021.