Effect of Micro Size Cenosphere Particles Reinforcement on Tribological Characteristics of Vinylester Composites under Dry Sliding Conditions

Abstract

In this paper the friction and wear characteristics of vinylester and cenosphere reinforced vinylester composites have been investigated under dry sliding conditions, under different applied normal load and sliding speed. Wear tests were carried using pin on a rotating disc under ambient conditions. Tests were conducted at normal loads 10, 30, 50 and 70 N and under sliding velocity of 1.88, 3.14, 4.39 and 5.65 m/s. The results showed that the coefficient of friction decreases with the increase in applied normal load values under dry conditions. On the other hand for pure vinylester specific wear rate increases with increase in applied normal load. However the specific wear rate for 2%, 6%, 10% and 15% cenosphere reinforced vinylester composite decreases with the increase in applied normal load under dry conditions. The results showed that with increase in the applied normal load and sliding speed the coefficient of friction and spe- cific wear rate decreases under dry sliding conditions. It is also found that a thin film formed on the counterface seems to be effective in improving the tribological characteristics. The specific wear rates for pure vinylester and vinylester composite under dry sliding condition were in the order of 10-6 mm3/Nm. The results showed that the inclusion of cenosphere as filler materials in vinylester composites will increase the wear resistance of the composite significantly. SEM analysis has been carried to identify the wear mechanism.