Influence of bio fillers on the characteristics of Luffa acutangula fiber reinforced polymer composites and parametric optimization using Taguchi technique

Developing novel materials is an essential requirement in the engineering field. This study investigates the effects of incorporating wood dust particles on the mechanical and erosive wear properties of Luffa acutangula fiber (LAF)-reinforced phenol-formaldehyde composites, fabricated using the hand layup method with a constant 20% fiber content and varying wood dust particle contents of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Using the Taguchi method, the study identifies the optimal combination for minimizing erosive wear - 20% wood dust content, 45 m/s impact velocity, 60° impingement angle, 600 μm erodent size, and 60 mm standoff distance-achieving a minimum erosion rate of 189.8 mg/kg. The addition of 20% wood dust results in significant enhancements in mechanical properties, with tensile strength increasing by 17.56%, flexural strength by 48.78%, and impact strength by 54.64%, compared to composites without wood dust. These findings underscore the potential of LAF composites with bio-fillers for lightweight structural applications in sectors prioritizing sustainability and mechanical durability, such as automotive and aerospace.