Large-scale tribological characterisation of eco-friendly basalt and jute fibre reinforced thermoset composites

Abstract

The present research aims at understanding the tribological behaviour of advanced unsaturated polyester/vinyl ester based thermoset composites reinforced by inorganic (mineral-based) or organic (vegetal) fibres such as basalt and jute. These fibres are non-toxic and widely available in nature. Thermosets have limitations in the formation of a uniform transfer layer during sliding wear. To surpass these limitations, tribo-fillers such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyoxymethylene or molybdenum disulphide (PTFE/POM/MoS2) are added into the contact surface. The composites developed for the current research are characterised for their friction and wear behaviour, using a large-scale (sample size typically 50 × 50 × 7 mm) linear reciprocating sliding flat-on-flat test configuration. In order to simulate real scale application, 50 mm/s sliding speed and 10 kN normal force which corresponds to 4 MPa contact pressure, are applied under dry contact conditions. In this research work 12 different tribocomposites are developed and tested against AISI 100Cr6 steel counterface. It was evidenced that composites blended with PTFE have the lowest coefficient of friction and longest service life. MoS2 filled tribocomposites have the highest coefficient of friction. The dominant wear mechanisms for the failure of all investigated composites are thermal degradation and delamination, and abrasion for the counter surface.