Tribological performance of sustainable tamarind seed powder–filled Bambusa vulgaris and Agave sisalana fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Abstract This study investigates the tribological performance of tamarind seed powder reinforced polymer composites under different sliding conditions. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was employed to evaluate the effects of tamarind seed powder content (0, 5, and 10 wt.%), sliding velocity (1, 1.5, and 2 m s −1 ), and sliding distance (1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 m) on wear loss and coefficient of friction. Signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance were used to identify the significance of process parameters and optimum conditions. The results revealed that tamarind seed powder content was the most influential factor affecting wear loss and coefficient of friction, contributing 74.44 % and 87.95 %, respectively. The composite containing 5 wt.% tamarind seed powder exhibited superior tribological performance with reduced wear loss and friction. The optimum parameter combination for minimum wear loss was A2B1C1 (5 wt.% tamarind seed powder, 1 m s −1 sliding velocity, and 1,000 m sliding distance), while the minimum coefficient of friction was obtained at A2B2C1 (5 wt.% tamarind seed powder, 1.5 m s −1 sliding velocity, and 1,000 m sliding distance). SEM analysis confirmed improved wear resistance through smoother wear tracks and reduced surface damage. The findings demonstrate the potential of tamarind seed powder as a sustainable filler for tribological applications.