Experimental investigation of hardness, friction, and wear in jute fiber-based hybrid polymer composites reinforced with SS304 and aluminium

The growing demand for lightweight, durable, and sustainable materials has driven significant interest in composite materials, particularly in sectors requiring superior strength-to-weight ratios and wear resistance to enhance structural efficiency and performance. Hybrid polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers such as jute offer an attractive solution due to their lightweight properties, biodegradability, eco-friendliness, and safe handling with no health hazards. This study aims to investigate the hardness and wear resistance of seven jute fiber-based hybrid composites, reinforced with varying volume percentages of SS304 and aluminium, as well as a virgin composite, fabricated using hand lay-up techniques. Hardness testing per ASTM D2583-13a standards revealed a notable increase in hardness, with the SS304-reinforced composite achieving a 288% improvement over the virgin composite, reaching 157 HV, and aluminium reinforcement resulting in a 159% improvement. Friction and wear test carried out as per ASTM G99-95 and analysis further highlighted the advantages of metal reinforcement; SS304 wire mesh reduced frictional force by up to 82%, while aluminium yielded an average reduction of 210%. Wear resistance improved significantly, with SS304 reinforcement reducing specific wear rates from 24% with a single layer to 48% with a double layer, and aluminium reducing wear rates from 32% with a single layer to 54% with a double layer. These findings underscore the role of matrix-mesh bonding and establish the potential of jute-based hybrid composites in applications demanding durability and strength.