Effect of graphene on tribology, mechanical, and thermal properties of flax/E‐glass/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites

Abstract Polymer nanocomposites have received significant attention in the tribology and mechanical application due to their exceptional wear resistance, which cannot be expected in polymers. This study, involves preparation and fabrication of graphene hybrid (flax/E‐glass/epoxy) fiber‐reinforced polymer (HFRP) composites using compression molding. A study of the effect of graphene on the microhardness and wear behavior of HFRP composites was made using pin‐on‐disk tests at three different loads of 5, 10, and 15 N as per ASTM standards. Compared to HFRP composites, graphene in HFRP composites exhibits a distinguished enhancement in thermal stability, microhardness and tribological performance due to the formation of strong covalent bonds between graphene and epoxy matrix. Surface features were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The addition of graphene (0.0–1.2 wt%) to the matrix, especially 0.6 wt% of graphene in HFRP composites revealed extraordinary tribological properties, with a 35% decrease in the friction coefficient and wear rate under abrasive wear conditions. The result of the graphene in HFRP composites looks promising in wear‐resistant materials and other high‐performance areas in the automobile and aerospace industry.