CONVENTIONAL LATHE GEAR FABRICATION AND TESTING BY USING NATURAL FIBRES AND CAST IRON PARTICULATE REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITE MATERIALS

This research considers the fabrication of lathe gears from a new composite material consisting of natural fibers (banana fiber) and cast iron blended in a polymer base.In general, the aim is to improve the strength, wear resistance, and durability of the gears and reduce their weight.The composite utilizes the natural properties of banana fibers, which are environmentally friendly, and the strong structure of cast iron and polymers.The research considers the production of the gears, material testing, and gear performance to determine whether this composite can be employed in actual lathe machines.The findings indicate that this blended material can be a valid alternative to conventional metal gears, providing an environmentally friendly, lightweight, and affordable option with equal or better mechanical properties.