Mechanical and wear characteristics of jute reinforced high‐density‐polyethylene/polycarbonate composites

Natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, coir, jute, bamboo etc., are available in abundance and are being tried as reinforcements in composites for possible use in transport and structural applications. These composites are gaining attention by researchers because of possessing higher strength, wear resistance, biodegradable nature as well as for the economic considerations. This study focuses on the development and investigation of the mechanical and tribological behavior of jute fiber incorporated in high‐density‐polyethylene/polycarbonate matrices along with carboxylic functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes. The results revealed that as the high‐density‐polyethylene/polycarbonate proportion in the composites increased from 55/34 to 70/19, the tensile strength, elongation at break and modulus increased by about 27 %, 15 % and 7 %, respectively. In contrast, compressive strength and modulus decreased by 12 % and 11 %, respectively. The slide wear loss decreased with increase in high‐density‐polyethylene content from 55 wt. % to 70 wt. % in the composites, whereas the coefficient of friction increased as the load increased from 20 N to 60 N. The damaged morphological features of the composites tested for tensile and wear properties were examined and characterized using scanning electron microscopy.