Tribotechnical characteristics of polymer composites reinforced with fibrous structures

Studies have been made on the effects of the nature, textile structure, and strength characteristics of fibrous reinforcement and on hybrid reinforcement, nature of the polymer matrix, and the addition of ultrafine diamond powder on the coefficient of friction and wear of a polymer composite containing a thermoreactive matrix. The tests were performed in air without lubricant with an insert-shaft pair scheme with counterbody composed of chromed cast iron and with a ceramic counterbody (boron carbide, silicon carbide and nitride) at sliding speeds of 5, 10, and 15 m/sec and pressure 0.5 MPa. Glass plastics show more wear than carbon plastics on reinforcements with woven or knitted structures. The carbon plastics have tribotechnical properties at the level of the best ones. The ultrafine diamond powder substantially reduced the wear. The best tribotechnical properties occurred with the friction pair carbon-glass plastic against silicon nitride.