Erosion wear performance of borax filled novel hybrid composites by using the Taguchi experimental design

Purpose - This study aims to examine solid particle erosion behavior of novel hybrid composite materials where borax (B2O3) particles (similar to 150 mu m) were added to glass fabric and epoxy resin at an amount of 15 and 30 per cent. Design/methodology/approach - The tests that involved slightly rounded and irregular Al2O3 particles having two erodent sizes (200, 400 mu m) were conducted at these operational conditions; namely, three impact velocities (23, 34, 53 m/s), two fabric directions (0/90/0, 45/-45/45) and three impingement angles (30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees). In addition, the design of experiments, which utilizes Taguchi's robust orthogonal arrays approach, was used and an optimum parameter combination was established, which had a minimum erosion rate. Moreover, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction views show the visual effect of filler material. Findings - All test specimens regardless of their dissimilar characteristics displayed maximum erosion rate at 30 degrees impingement angle. Test specimens with 45/-45/45 fabric direction are more wear-resistant than their counterparts with 0/90/0 fabric direction. The erosion wear of glass fabric reinforced epoxy (GF/EP) composites whose matrix had 15 per cent addition of borax particles was higher than that of neat GF/EP composites. In addition, new composite material formed by including borax particles at a rate of 30 per cent of resin leads to a reduction in erosion rates. Originality/value - While fabric-reinforced polymers take place in most of the studies conducted on erosive wear of composites, studies involving erosion on composites with filler materials can hardly be encountered.