Friction characteristics of protein-glucose-thermoset composites

Abstract

Polymers are materials with a great spread and represent the center of the life comfort development. They have become since their discovery, indispensable to a modern prosperous society. In order to obtain optimal performance of the composite material, a broad variety of organic modification agents were used. The purpose of this study represents the development of modern composite materials modified with glucose particles and protein substances (gelatin and wheat gluten). The glucose-modified composite materials are used in the medical field.Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen, being bio-compatible and nontoxic. Wheat gluten is a vegetable protein used as a modifying agent to form composite materials that can be transformed into a bioplastic material. The following types of epoxy resins were used for this study: Epyphen RE 4020, Epoxy RESIN C, Epoxy RESIN HT. These composite materials are designed to withstand some mechanical, physicochemical, thermal properties and most valuable, tribological properties. Tribological tests aim to determine the friction coefficient. These tests are necessary to understand the tribological properties of composite materials and the field in which they can be used.