Parametric Evaluation of Erosion Response of Epoxy Resin Filled with Blast Furnace Slag Using Taguchi Technique

Abstract

Blast furnace slag (BFS) is a major industrial waste generated in huge quantities during the extraction of iron from its ores in the blast furnace. Its potential as a filler material in polymeric matrices has not yet been reported and in view of this, the present work is undertaken to explore the possibility of making a class of erosion resistant polymer composites with the slag particles as the filler. Composites of four different compositions (with 0, 10, 20 and 30 wt% of BFS reinforced in epoxy resin) are prepared. Solid particle erosion wear trials are conducted following a well planned experimental schedule based on Taguchi’s design of experiments (DOE). Significant control factors predominantly influencing the wear rate are identified. This work shows that blast furnace slag possesses good filler characteristics as it improves the erosion wear resistance of the polymeric resin. Factors like filler content, impact velocity and impingement angle are the significant factors affecting the erosion wear rate. It is further seen that the use of Taguchi model with the prescribed design strategy is quite effective for the parametric appraisal of the wear process within a well defined experimental domain.