Friction and Sliding Wear Properties of the Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

Asbestos was banned as a component of friction composites because of its negative impact on health. Natural materials are viable options, while natural biodegradable and renewable materials are the best options for use as constituents in different types of composites. Polymer and its composites find increasing use in several applications in rolling/sliding parts. Natural fibers have been a better option of reinforcement for polymeric matrix than man-made fibers owing to their benefits such as abundance, great modulus, high specific strength, less price, less density, biodegradability, environmentally friendly, and recyclability properties. This chapter provides a comprehensive coverage of the various research works on natural-fiber-based polypropylene (PP) composites related to tribological studies. Various parameters affecting friction and wear, failure causes of parts, and effect of material parameters are basically discussed in chapter. Primary target of chapter is to give information about tribological characteristic of natural-fiber-reinforced composites and demonstrate usability in several industries where tribology plays dominant role. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.