Dry Sliding Wear Characteristics of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite with Cloisite 93 Nanoclay Filler Material

Abstract

In the present research, authors made an endeavor to consider the friction and wear behaviour of epoxy matrix polymer combined with glass fiber act as reinforcement and nanoclay as filler material. The nanocomposites have been set up with varying percentage viz., 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7wt% of nanoclay. The composite mixture was prepared by uniform mixture of epoxy matrix and nanoclay using mechanical stirrer and followed by ultrasonic sonicator. Using compression moulding machine, glass fiber reinforced nanocomposites laminate were prepared for each composition. From every one of the composites, sliding wear specimens were prepared. Sliding wear failure, particular wear rate and coefficient of friction were explored by utilizing computerized pin-on-disc machine at common applied loads of 10, 20, 30 and 40 N; at different sliding velocity and at sliding distance 2000m. The wear behavior information uncovers that 3 wt% nanoclay filled composite shows lower coefficient of friction rate when compared with different nanocomposites. Additionally morphological study was completed for wear out surfaces of the considerable number of composites utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM).