Purpose This paper aims to report the effect of titanium oxide (TiO2) particles on the physical, mechanical, tribological and water resistance properties of 5% NaOH-treated bamboo fiber–reinforced composites. Design/methodology/approach In this research, the epoxy/bamboo/TiO2 hybrid composite filled with 0–8 Wt.% TiO2 particles has been fabricated using simple hand layup techniques, and testing of the developed composite was done in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard. Findings The results of this study indicate that the addition of TiO2 particles improved the mechanical properties of the developed epoxy/bamboo composites. Tensile properties were found to be maximum for 6 Wt.%, and impact strength was found to be maximum for 8 Wt.% TiO2 particles-filled composite. The highest flexural properties were found at a lower TiO2 fraction of 2 Wt.%. Adding TiO2 filler helped to reduce the water absorption rate. The studies related to the wear and friction behavior of the composite under dry and abrasive wear conditions reveal that TiO2 filler was beneficial in improving the wear performance of the composite. Originality/value This research paper attempts to include both TiO2 filler and bamboo fibers to develop a novel composite material. TiO2 micro and nanoparticles are promising filler materials; it helps to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of the epoxy composites and in literature, there is not much work reported, where TiO2 is used as a filler material with bamboo fiber–reinforced epoxy composites.

Untreated and alkaline treated bamboo and flax fiber reinforced epoxy composites are processed using a hand layup process. The effect of alkaline treatment on the mechanical properties of the composites has been analysed. Alkaline treatment of the fiber has enhanced the mechanical properties of the developed composites. Composite reinforced with 5 % NaOH treated fiber show better performance when compared with untreated fiber reinforced composites. Alkaline treatment of the bamboo and flax fiber with 5 % NaOH has improved the hardness by 3.57 and 2.43 %, tensile strength by 47 and 20.72 % and flexural strength by 7.36 and 13.85 % in bamboo and flax fiber reinforced composites, respectively. The increase in the percentage NaOH in the alkaline treatment of the fibers resulted in weakening of fiber resulting in a drop in the properties of the developed composites. Water absorption tests of the developed composites were conducted as per ASTM D570 by immersion in distilled water at room temperature. The influence of water absorption on mechanical properties of developed composites is also examined. The quantity of water absorption and diffusion coefficient are reduced with alkaline treatment of fiber. Mechanical properties of the composite were found to decrease by the water absorption, which can be controlled by alkaline treatment of fiber and thereby reducing water absorption rate and improve the mechanical properties of the composites. HIGHLIGHTS Reinforcing natural fiber in polymer resin is highly beneficial because it helps to improves the strength and toughness of the polymer Moisture absorption rate and lack of interfacial adhesion between the polymer and natural fiber made natural fiber reinforced composites less attractive compared to synthetic fiber reinforced composites Alkaline treatment of the natural fiber increases the fiber surface roughness, which results in improved mechanical interlock between fiber and matrix, resulting in improved mechanical and water resistance properties of the developed composites GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The scarcity of conventional fuel and stringent emission norms made researchers to look after alternative fuels to run an internal combustion engine. One of the possible alternatives for the Compression Ignition engine is biodiesel. Although there are some challenges such as high viscosity, low calorific value, carbon deposit on the injector nozzle, etc. To overcome these challenge nanoparticles are added which will bring most properties near to virgin diesel. Simarouba a non-edible biodiesel feedstock used and aluminum oxide nanoparticles are added with 50 nm size. Using a probe-type Ultrasonication process nano-biodiesel blend is prepared. To improve stability SDS surfactants are added. The characterization of nanoparticles studied using SEM image. The performance of the engine tested for different dosage levels of nanoparticles mainly 25 ppm, 50 ppm, and 75 ppm. The injection timing, injector pressure, and speed kept constant, whereas injection pressure is varied 200 bar, 225 bar, and 250 bar. There is found a 5.2% increase in brake thermal efficiency for nanoparticles added blend biodiesel at 250 bar compare to 200 bar pressure. For the same thing brake specific fuel consumption decreased by 9%. Most of emissions such as Carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons decreased, whereas there is a significant amount of increase in oxides of nitrogen emission found.

Purpose This paper aims to report the effect of titanium oxide (TiO2) particles on the specific wear rate (SWR) of alkaline treated bamboo and flax fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) under dry sliding condition by using a robust statistical method. Design/methodology/approach In this research, the epoxy/bamboo and epoxy/flax composites filled with 0–8 Wt.% TiO2 particles have been fabricated using simple hand layup techniques, and wear testing of the composite was done in accordance with the ASTM G99-05 standard. The Taguchi design of experiments (DOE) was used to conduct a statistical analysis of experimental wear results. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to identify significant control factors affecting SWR under dry sliding conditions. Taguchi prediction model is also developed to verify the correlation between the test parameters and performance output. Findings The research study reveals that TiO2 filler particles in the epoxy/bamboo and epoxy/flax composite will improve the tribological properties of the developed composites. Statistical analysis of SWR concludes that normal load is the most influencing factor, followed by sliding distance, Wt.% TiO2 filler and sliding velocity. ANOVA concludes that normal load has the maximum effect of 31.92% and 35.77% and Wt.% of TiO2 filler has the effect of 17.33% and 16.98%, respectively, on the SWR of bamboo and flax FRCs. A fairly good agreement between the Taguchi predictive model and experimental results is obtained. Originality/value This research paper attempts to include both TiO2 filler and bamboo/flax fibers to develop a novel hybrid composite material. TiO2 micro and nanoparticles are promising filler materials, it helps to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of the epoxy composites. Taguchi DOE and ANOVA used for statistical analysis serve as guidelines for academicians and practitioners on how to best optimize the control variable with particular reference to natural FRCs.

The current study reports outcome of aluminium oxide nanoparticles blend biodiesel fuel on the performance and emission distinctiveness of a compression ignition engine. The biodiesel is formed from Simarouba oil by transesterification method and blended with 50ppm Aluminium oxide nanoparticles. The entire analysis is carried out in invariable speed CI engines with four phase's pure diesel, diesel+50pppm Aluminium oxide nanoparticles, blended biodiesel (S20) and S20+50pppm Aluminium oxide nanoparticles. The outcome revealed a significant improvement in brake thermal efficiency and reduction in brake specific fuel consumption, carbon monoxide (CO), unburnt Hydrocarbons (UHC). But there is also small percentage increase in oxides of nitrogen emissions.