Experimental investigation of mechanical and tribological performance of XNBR rubber modified epoxy under dry sliding condition

Abstract

The mechanical and tribological behavior of XNBR rubber modified epoxy under dry sliding condition was investigated using a pin-on-disc wear tester at different normal loads. The mechanical properties including tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus were investigated as per ASTM standards. When modifying epoxy resin with liquid rubber (XNBR), the tensile modulus of epoxy/XNBR blend decreased by 50% for 2.5% XNBR content, whereas the tensile strength increased by 10.09% at 2.5% loading of XNBR rubber particles. As regards the flexural properties of the epoxy/XNBR blend, both modulus and strength decreased by 27% and 15%, respectively for 2.5% XNBR content. The frictional coefficient and sliding wear rate of epoxy/XNBR rubber blend were measured against the silicone carbide abrasive paper (grit size-70 μm) with the sliding distance of 235.5 m for 60 sec. The results showed that XNBR rubber particles increase the wear rate and reduce the coefficient of friction of epoxy/ XNBR blend as compared to neat epoxy resin. The friction coefficient of epoxy/XNBR blends are lower than neat epoxy resin and 2.5% XNBR blend is most effective at 300 g normal load in all compositions. On the other hand, the wear mass loss is higher in epoxy/XNBR blend when compared to unfilled epoxy, hence the specific wear rate is also high in case of epoxy/XNBR blend at same load condition. The 2.5% XNBR modified blend showed the maximum wear mass loss and specific wear rate. The wear rate and mass loss and specific wear rate. The wear rate and mass loss increase with increasing load.