Epoxy and Polyester Composites' Characteristics under Tribological Loading Conditions.

Jasem Ghanem Alotaibi,Belal F Yousif,Ayedh Eid Alajmi,Gabrel A Mehoub

doi:10.3390/polym13142230

Abstract

This research examines the friction and dry wear behaviours of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy (GFRE) and glass fibre-reinforced polyester (GFRP) composites. Three fibre orientations—parallel orientation (P–O), anti-parallel orientation (AP–O), and normal orientation (N–O)—and various sliding distances from 0–15 km were examined. The experiments were carried out using a block-on-ring configuration at room temperature, an applied load of 30 N, and a sliding velocity of 2.8 m/s. During the sliding, interface temperatures and frictional forces were captured and recorded. Worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy to identify the damage. The highest wear rates for GFRE composites occurred in those with AP–O fibres, while the highest wear rates for GFRP composites occurred in those with P–O fibres. At longer sliding distances, composites with P–O and N–O fibres had the lowest wear rates. The highest friction coefficient was observed for composites with N–O and P–O fibres at higher sliding speeds. The lowest friction coefficient value (0.25) was for composites with AP–O fibres. GFRP composites with P–O fibres had a higher wear rate than those with N–O fibres at the maximum speed.

Highlights

Given the rapid global developments and challenges associated with the use of metals in tribological industrial applications, the tribological behaviours of polymeric composites is attracting increased research attention
To study the wear behaviours of neat epoxy (NE), neat polyester (NP), glass fibre-reinforced epoxy (GFRE), and glass fibre-reinforced polyester (GFRP), a series of experiments were conducted at different operating parameters and fibre orientations (N–O, parallel orientation (P–O) and anti-parallel orientation (AP–O))
Epoxy composites showed a lower specific wear rate (SWR) compared with NE for all fibre orientations, reaching a steady state after approximately 10 km because it took longer for interactions to occur between the surface asperities

Summary

Introduction

Given the rapid global developments and challenges associated with the use of metals in tribological industrial applications, the tribological behaviours of polymeric composites is attracting increased research attention. Fibre-reinforced polymeric composites have numerous mechanical advantages over metal materials, including higher specific strength, lower weight and lower raw material and processing costs. Composite materials have been used in many applications with superior results, including the production of structural materials in the aerospace industry [1,2]. Various characteristics of composites have been studied, including their friction and wear performance in brakes, clutches, and nuts and bolts [3,4]. There is a clear need to understand the tribological behaviours of polymer composites [9,10]

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