Effect of the surface energy of vegetable shells and hard cores on the adhesion and tribological properties of agglomerated bio-based grinding wheels

Abstract

This research correlates the surface energy of four plant by-products used as abrasive grains with their mechanical and tribological properties. Grinding wheels are obtained from P20 particles of coconut shells, palm nut shells, canarium fruit stones and raffia fruit mixed with an epoxy resin crosslinked with a diamine. Surface energies were determined on the bio-based particles and on the resin from contact angle measurements. Wheels with coconut abrasive grains showed the best mechanical and tribological properties with a material removal rate of 171 mg/s and a wear rate of 8.9 × 10⁻⁵ cm³/N.m. The surface energy parameters approach is consistent with these results.