Effect of TiO ₂ nanoparticle reinforcement on the mechanical and tribological performance of natural fiber hybrid polymer composites

Particle reinforcement is one of the methods used in natural hybrid composite manufacturing to enhance mechanical characteristics. In this work, four distinct hybrid laminates were prepared using natural fibers and four different weight percentages (Wt.%) of titanium oxide nano filler by the compression molding procedure. Epoxy served as the matrix, and sisal and banana fibers were utilized as natural reinforcements. With the addition of the hybrid fiber reinforcement and TiO 2 filler, the mechanical properties of flexural, impact, and tensile characteristics improved greatly (impact energy of 13.452 J, flexural strength of 94.86 MPa, and tensile strength of 18.6 MPa). Mechanical performance was enhanced in polymer-based composites by the addition of 3 Wt. % TiO 2 filler. The features are improved by the filler substitutes, which fill the space between the fiber and matrix phases. When 3 weight percent TiO 2 (T3) was added, the minimum wear of 13 μm with the Coefficient of Friction 0.0068 was observed for the T3 at a 20 N load, with a frictional force of 0.2 N.