Composites materials like jute/epoxy exhibit high hardness and are considered as difficult-to-machine materials. As a result, alternatives to conventional machining become essential to post-process the composites. Accordingly, due to its non-thermal nature, abrasive water jet machining has recently come to be seen as one of the most promising machining methods for composite materials. In the current study, the impact of machining parameters such as traverse speed (TS), standoff distance (SOD) and abrasive mass flow rate (MFR) on machined surface roughness (Ra) has been investigated. In addition, the optimum combination of process parameters to machine a jute fiber-reinforced polymer composite with minimum Ra is predicted. The experimental results are analyzed using Taguchi and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approaches to determine the optimum set of process parameters to achieve the lowest roughness values. Without making any changes in the machining conditions, the optimum set of values is determined for two conditions by reinforcing the fiber with 45° inclination and 90° inclination. The results reflect the different optimum combinations for each fiber inclination. For 45° fiber inclination, to achieve the minimum Ra value, the predicted combination is TS = 30 mm/min, SOD = 2 mm and MFR = 0.35 kg/min. When the fiber inclination is 90°, the predicted optimum combination is TS = 25 mm/min, SOD = 2 mm, and MFR = 0.35 kg/min. It is evident from the results that the optimum combination will be changed according to the machining conditions as well as material properties. The results confirm the effect of fiber orientation on surface roughness. The specimen with 45° fiber inclination produces a lower Ra with an average of 4.116 µm, and the specimen with 90° fiber inclination generates a higher Ra with an average of 4.961 µm.

The effect of resin modification through the incorporation of the biomass waste in the form of seashell powder on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber–reinforced epoxy/seashell composites is examined through experimental investigations. The resin modification is done through the addition of seashell powder in 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%. The modified resin is then reinforced with basalt fiber mat and the required laminate is obtained through compression molding technique. The specimens required for various mechanical tests, such as flexural, tensile, inter laminar shear (ILSS), and the impact strengths, are cut from the laminate as per the standard ASTM dimensions. The mechanical test results indicate that through the addition of the seashell filler additional toughening mechanisms are introduced which improves the strength of the composite laminate. The improvement in the flexural modulus value for all the laminates made from modified resin indicates the ability of the laminate to deflect the applied load effectively and efficiently. The optimum wt.% addition of seashell filler into the resin is found to be 5% for flexural, ILSS, and impact strength while for tensile strength it was observed to be 10%. The addition of higher wt.% loading of seashell filler into the resin has rendered the resin too thick and viscous with minimum flowability. Thus, there is a reduced wettability of the modified resin with the basalt fibers due to which the strength of the laminates reduces. The SEM analysis indicates widespread delamination for higher wt.% addition of the seashell filler into the resin.

In a multi-component system, the interfacial interactions between the various components trigger the behavior of the composite under external loading and thus determine the bulk properties of the material. In the present work, composite laminates made from TiO₂ modified epoxy reinforced with glass fiber are subjected to thermal loading and the effort is made to analyze the interfacial interactions through the experimental values of storage modulus, loss modulus and tan delta. The loading of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the epoxy resin is varied to also understand the effect of nanoparticle addition on the interfacial interactions through DMA. The addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles helped to increase the storage and loss modulus by improving the rigidity of the polymeric chain. To understand the effect of varying the loading of TiO₂ nanoparticles and to gauge the optimum wt.% addition of such nanoparticle, Tan delta, the degree of entanglement and the coefficient of the effectiveness of the nanofiller is found and the results indicate that the laminates successfully withstand the applied thermal load when the TiO₂ loading is kept at 2 wt.%. This optimum nanoparticle loading wt.% is further validated through the adhesion factor which is found with the help of Tan delta values.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the fabrication and characterization of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with zirconia (ZrO₂)‐coated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). HDPE, a widely used polymer for pressure pipe applications, was selected for its superior mechanical properties, while ZrO₂‐coated MWCNTs were employed as nanofillers to enhance these properties further. The acid functionalization of MWCNTs, followed by the application of a ZrO₂ coating, was executed to ensure optimal dispersion and interfacial bonding within the HDPE matrix. The functionalized MWCNTs (f‐MWCNTs) were synthesized via an acid treatment process using 8 M HNO₃, which significantly eased agglomeration and facilitated a stable ZrO₂ coating. Subsequent hydrothermal processing at 200°C for 18 h yielded uniformly coated MWCNTs. These nanofillers were then melt‐blended with HDPE, followed by injection molding. Mechanical testing revealed substantial enhancements in the tensile, flexural, and hardness properties of the composites. The tensile strength exhibited a marked increase, peaking at a 3 wt.% ZrO₂‐coated MWCNT concentration, with a 50% improvement over pristine HDPE. Flexural modulus and hardness values also saw significant increments, with the highest enhancements recorded at 4 wt.% filler content. Impact testing showed improved toughness, although excessive filler loading led to diminished returns due to nanoparticle aggregation. FTIR and XRD analyses supported the successful integration of ZrO₂‐coated MWCNTs within the HDPE matrix, highlighting the presence of characteristic peaks associated with both MWCNTs and HDPE. These findings provide the potential of ZrO₂‐coated MWCNTs as effective nanofillers in enhancing the mechanical performance of HDPE composites, making suitable for advanced engineering applications.Highlights: Coating of ZrO₂ on MWCNTs using Hydrothermal method. Melt blending of ZrO₂ coated MWCNT with HDPE using twin‐screw extruder. Preparation of samples through injection molding as per ASTM standard. Mechanical properties and characterization analysis of the composite.