Abrasive wear of graphite fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials

Abstract

Two-body abrasive wear of graphite fiber-reinforced polymers was measured. The polymer matrices investigated included a brittle (high temperature capability) polyimide and two thermoplastics (Nylon and polyphenylene sulphide). SiC abrasive paper was used and the volumetric wear rate was determined as a function of the grit size, applied load and the distance travelled. The wear behavior of 1100 aluminum and 1018 steel was also determined under the same conditions. The results indicate that the abrasive wear rate is significantly higher than that of metals. The dependence of the wear rate on grit size for composites is similar to that observed for metals. Scanning electron micrographs were used to identify the failure modes. Of the composites investigated, the wear of unidirectional graphitepolyimide, with the fibers oriented normal to the abrading surface, showed the lowest wear.