Influence of Rubber Crumb Particle Size on Abrasive Behavior of Rubber Crumb Modified Epoxy Composites

The study investigates the relationship between rubber crumb particle size and the abrasive behavior of polymer composites, using statistical optimization techniques. Polymer composites with different rubber crumb sizes were synthesized and subjected to abrasion tests. Taguchi's L18 orthogonal array was employed to analyze the effects of filler particle size (2 levels), filler weight percentage, load, and time (3 levels each) on the specific wear rate of the developed composites. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that particle size significantly influenced abrasion resistance, with a P-value of 0.073 and an F-value of 3.8 from Taguchi's Design of Experiments (DOE). Smaller particles exhibited milder abrasion, characterized by smoother surface interactions and lower material removal, while larger particles caused more aggressive abrasion due to rougher surfaces, larger contact areas, and higher stress concentrations. The findings highlight the pivotal role of rubber crumb particle size in tailoring the abrasive properties of polymer composites. This study provides a framework for optimizing material performance, offering significant potential for applications in sectors requiring durable and wear-resistant composites, such as automotive, construction, and aerospace.