Improved mechanical and tribological behaviour of peepal–okra–madar fiber hybrid composites reinforced with TiO₂ nanoparticles

¹ Department of Physics, Nandha College of Technology, Perundurai, Tamil Nadu, India
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, United College of Engineering and Research, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Er. Perumal Manimekalai Engineering College, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of Engineering, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, India
⁵ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vinayaka Mission’s Kirupananda Variyar Engineering College, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
⁶ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nandha College of Technology, Perundurai, Tamil Nadu, India

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 29 May 2026

Abstract

Hybridization of natural fiber composite is on the rise to improve the performance of the materials by the synergistic effect of multiple fibres. The wear resistance of hybrid composite has greatly been enhanced by the addition of filler materials. This paper will look at the mechanical and wear properties of a special hybrid composite reinforced with 6 wt. percent of Peepal Fiber (PF), and different weight percentages of Okra Fiber (OF) and Madar Fiber (MF). The artificial specimens were evaluated with mechanical characterizations such as hardness, impact resistance, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength, and tensile strength. As a filler material to improve the tribological performance, different weight percentages (2, 4, 6 and 8 wt. %) of Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) nano powder were added. The mechanical properties of the filler-free composite samples that were composed of 15 wt. % Okra and 15 wt. % Madar fibers were better compared to those of the other samples. Furthermore, out of all the configurations studied, the sample with 6 wt. % TiO₂ filler showed the lowest wear rate, which is a significant increase in the wear resistance. This paper highlights the potential of TiO2 reinforced hybrid natural fiber composite in sophisticated structural and abrasive applications.