Potential of kenaf fibres as reinforcement for tribological applications

This paper presents an attempt to use kenaf fibres as reinforcement for tribo-composite based on epoxy for bearing applications. Kenaf fibres reinforced epoxy (KFRE) composite was fabricated using a closed mould technique associated with vacuum system. Sliding wear and frictional behaviour of the composite were studied against polished stainless steel counterface using Block-On-Disc (BOD) machine at different applied loads (30–100 N), sliding distances (0–5 km) and sliding velocities (1.1–3.9 m/s). The effect of the fibre orientations, with respect to the sliding direction, was considered; these orientations are parallel (P-O), anti-parallel (AP-O) and normal (N-O). The morphology of the worn surfaces of the composite was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result revealed that the presence of kenaf fibres in the composite enhanced the wear and frictional performance of the epoxy. Applied load and sliding velocity have less effect on the specific wear rate of the composite in all the three orientations. The composite exhibited better wear performance in N-O compared to P-O and AP-O.     

Tribological behaviour of PTFE modified cotton polyester composites

Abstract

An attempt on modification of tribological behaviour of cotton polyester composite was done with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE modified polyester–cotton composites were developed and studied for their friction and sliding wear behaviour at different applied loads. The sliding wear tests of composites were conducted against EN-31 steel counter face. The coefficient of friction μ as well as the sliding wear rate of cotton–polyester composites reduced significantly on addition of PTFE. The reduction in wear rate of PTFE modified polyester–cotton composite has been discussed with the help of SEM observations of worn surfaces and coefficient of friction.     

Adhesive Wear Performance of T-OPRP and UT-OPRP Composites

In the current work, the effects of treating the oil palm fibres on the tribological performance of polyester composite were studied against polished stainless steel counterface using Block-on-Ring (BOR) technique under dry contact condition. Wear and friction characteristics of treated and untreated oil palm fibre reinforced polyester (T-OPRP and UT-OPRP) composites were evaluated at different sliding distances (0.85–5 km), sliding velocities (1.7–3.9 m/s) and applied loads (30–100 N). SEM observations were performed on the worn surfaces of the composites to examine the damage features. Specific wear rate (Ws), friction coefficient and interface temperature results were presented against the operating parameters. The results revealed that test parameters significantly influenced the wear performance of the composites. Both treated and untreated oil palm fibres enhanced the wear and frictional performance of polyester composites. T-OPRP showed less Ws by about 11% compared to UT-OPRP. This was due to the better interfacial adhesion offered by the treated fibres. The SEM observation made on UT-OPRP worn surface showed debonding and bending of fibres, and fragmentation and deformation on the resinous regions. Meanwhile, T-OPRP composite showed less damages compared to UT-OPRP, where no sign of fibres debonding was observed.     

Friction and wear of polyphenylene sulfide composites filled with micro and nano CuO particles in water-lubricated sliding

The tribological behavior of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites filled with micro and nano CuO particles in water-lubricated sliding condition were studied. Pin-on-disk sliding tests were performed against a steel counterface of surface roughness 0.09–0.11 μm. The lubrication regimes were established from friction data corresponding to various combinations of loads and sliding speeds. Later experiments were performed using the sliding speed of 0.5 m/s and contact pressure of 1.95 MPa, which corresponded to boundary lubrication regime. Micro CuO particles as the filler were effective in reducing the wear of PPS but nano CuO particles did not reduce wear. The steady state wear rate of PPS-30 vol.% micro CuO composite was about 10% of that of unfilled PPS and the coefficient of friction in this case was the lowest. The examination of the topography of worn pin surfaces of nano CuO-filled PPS by SEM revealed grooving features indicating three-body abrasion. The transfer films formed on the counterfaces during sliding were studied by optical microscopy and AFM. The wear behavior of the composites in water-lubricated sliding is explained using the characteristics of worn pin surfaces and transfer films on the counterface.     

Tribological Behavior of Micrometer- and Submicrometer-Size Cenosphere Particulate-Filled Glass Fiber–Reinforced Vinylester Composites Under Dry and Water-Lubricated Sliding Conditions

In this work, the tribological behavior of micrometer and submicrometer cenosphere particulate–filled E-glass fiber–reinforced vinylester composites have been investigated on a pin-on-disc tester under dry sliding and water-lubricated sliding conditions. Three different uniform sizes of cenosphere particles (2 μm, 900 nm, 400 nm) were used as fillers in the glass fiber–reinforced vinylester composites. The weight fraction of cenosphere particles has been varied in the ranges from 5, 10, 15, to 20 wt%. The experimental results show that all of the composites exhibited lower coefficient of friction and lower wear resistance under water-lubricated sliding conditions than under dry sliding. It has been noted that the submicrometer size (400 nm) cenosphere particulates as fillers contributed significantly to improve the wear resistance. It has also been noted that 10 wt% of the cenosphere particles is the most effective in reducing the wear rate and coefficient of friction. Effects of various wear parameters such as applied normal loads, sliding speeds, particle size, and particle content on the tribological behavior were also discussed. In order to understand the wear mechanism, the morphologies of the worn surface were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for composite specimens under both dry and water-lubricated sliding conditions.     

Tribological Behavior of Cu Matrix Composites Containing Graphite and Tungsten Disulfide

Copper matrix composites containing graphite and tungsten disulfide were prepared and tested under the loads of 1–5 N to investigate their friction and wear behaviors. The microstructure, worn surfaces, and cross section of worn subsurfaces were observed, and the lubricating films formed on the worn surfaces were analyzed. It is found that the Cu–24 vol% WS₂ composite presents a higher mechanical performance and lower wear rate compared to the Cu–24 vol% graphite composite with same volume fraction of solid lubricant. This could be attributed to the high-strength chemical bonding of the interface between WS₂ and the copper matrix. The high-strength interfacial bonding also helps prevent plastic deformation and the formation of cracks at the worn subsurfaces of the composites. The amount of lubricant on the outmost worn surfaces is significantly higher than that in the composite. The lubricating film of WS₂ with relatively high thickness provides a low friction coefficient to the composites.     

防冻液环境下PPS复合材料与不同配副材料的摩擦学行为

采用热压成型法制备短切碳纤维增强聚苯硫醚(PPS)复合材料,研究汽车专用防冻液环境中复合材料与4Cr13不锈钢、SiC陶瓷和Al2O3 陶瓷配副在不同载荷下的摩擦磨损性能;考察摩擦副在防冻液中的润湿性与耐腐蚀性;利用激光共聚焦显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对复合材料及对偶件磨损面进行观察,结合磨损面EDS和XRD分析探究材料的摩擦磨损机制。结果表明：防冻液环境中,SiC陶瓷耐腐蚀性能最强,Al2O3 陶瓷润湿性最好;在相同载荷下与4Cr13配副时复合材料的磨损率最低,但摩擦因数随载荷的增大上升最快,对偶件磨损率最大且磨粒磨损严重;与SiC或Al2O3配副时复合材料摩擦面呈现研磨特征;在相同载荷下与Al2O3 配副时复合材料磨损率最大,磨屑向对偶件表面沉积,与SiC配副时复合材料摩擦因数最小且对偶件磨损率最小。因此PPS复合材料与SiC配副宜作为防冻液环境下长耐久滑动轴承的优选材料。     

Wear and friction behavior of Al6061 alloy reinforced with carbon nanotubes

Friction and wear behavior of Al6061 monolithic alloy and 1 wt% CNTs reinforced Al6061 composite prepared through ball milling and spark plasma sintering was investigated. It was found that, under mild wear conditions, the composite displayed lower wear rate and friction coefficient compared to the monolithic alloy. However, for severe wear conditions, the composite displayed higher wear rate and friction coefficient compared to the monolithic alloy. Analysis of worn surfaces revealed that, at lower loads, abrasion was the dominant wear mechanism for both materials. At higher loads, adhesion was found to be dominant for the monolithic alloy while excessive sub-surface fracturing and delamination were mainly observed for the composite. Also, it was clarified that the friction and wear behavior of Al–CNT composites is largely influenced by the applied load and there exists a critical load beyond which CNTs could have a negative impact on the wear resistance of aluminum alloy.     

Dry sliding wear characteristics of glass–epoxy composite filled with silicon carbide and graphite particles

The dry sliding wear characteristics of a glass–epoxy (G–E) composite, filled with both silicon carbide (SiC_p) and graphite (Gr), were studied using a pin-on-disc test apparatus. The specific wear rate was determined as a function of sliding velocity, applied load and sliding distance. The laminates were fabricated by the hand lay-up technique. The volume percentage of filler materials in the composite was varied, silicon carbide was varied from 5 to 10% whereas graphite was kept constant at 5%. The excellent wear resistance was obtained with glass–epoxy containing fillers. The transfer film formed on the counter surface was confirmed to be effective in improving the wear characteristics of filled G–E composites. The influence of applied load is more on specific wear rate compared to the other two wear parameters. The worn surfaces of composites were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the probable wear mechanisms. It was found that in the early stage of wear, the fillers contribution is significant. The process of transfer film, debris formation and fiber breakage accounts for the wear at much later stages.     

Tribological Behavior of Particles and Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Nanocomposites

This article discusses the mechanical performance of alumina nanoparticles and randomly distributed short glass/carbon fiber-reinforced hybrid composites through microhardness and wear test. The open mold casting method was adapted to prepare the test coupons. The wear and friction behavior of composites sliding against hardened ground EN 32 steel in a pin-on-disc configuration is evaluated on a wear and friction tester. The microhardness properties of the neat epoxy, alumina nanoparticles, and alumina nanoparticle–embedded glass/carbon fiber–reinforced hybrid composites were determined. The morphology of the worn composites was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope. It was found that the particles as fillers contributed significantly to improve the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the polymer composites. This is because the fillers contributed to enhance the bonding strength between the fiber and the epoxy resin. Moreover, the wear and friction resistance of the glass/carbon fiber composites was increased by increasing the filler weight in the composite materials.     

Wear Behavior of Composites Based on ZA-27 Alloy Reinforced by Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Particles Under Dry Sliding Condition

In present study, the effect of Al₂O₃ particle reinforcement on the sliding behavior of ZA-27 alloy composites was investigated. The composites with 3, 5, and 10 wt% of Al₂O₃ particles were produced by the compocasting procedure. Tribological properties of unreinforced alloy and composite were studied, using block-on-disk tribometer under unlubricated sliding conditions at different specific loads and sliding speeds. The worn surfaces of samples were examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The test results revealed that those composite specimens exhibited significantly lower wear rate than the ZA-27 matrix alloy specimens in all combinations of applied loads and sliding speeds. The difference in the wear resistance of composite with respect to the matrix alloy, increased with the increase of the applied load/sliding speed and Al₂O₃ particle content. The highest degree of improvement of the ZA-27 alloy tribological behavior corresponded with change of the Al₂O₃ particles content from 3 to 5 wt%. At low sliding speed, moderate lower wear rate of the composites over that of the matrix alloy was noticed. This has been attributed to micro cracking tendency of the composites. Significantly reduced wear rate, experienced by the composite over that of the matrix alloy at the higher sliding speeds and loads, could be explained due to enhanced compatibility of matrix alloy with dispersoid phase and greater thermal stability of the composite in view of the presence of the dispersoid. Level of wear rate of tested ZA-27/Al₂O₃ samples pointed to the process of mild wear, which was primarily controlled by the formation and destruction of mechanical mixed layers (MMLs).     

Enhancement of abrasive wear resistance in consolidated Al matrix composites via extrusion process

Abstract

The present study addresses the dry wear behaviour of aluminium matrix composites under different sliding speeds and applied loads. Values of the friction coefficient of the matrix alloy and composite materials were in expected range for light metals in dry sliding conditions. The higher coefficient of friction was the consequence of established contact between hard SiC particles and the counter body material. The rough and smooth regions are distinguished on the worn surface of the composites similar to the unreinforced Al alloy. Plastic deformation occurred when the applied specific load was higher than the critical value. The high shear stresses on the sliding surface cause initiation and propagation of the cracks in the subsurface, leading to the loss of material from the worn surface in the form of flakes. The debrises of the composites at low wear rate comprise a mixture of the fine particles and small shiny metallic plate-like flakes and are associated with the formation of more iron rich layers on the contact surfaces.     

表面改性硅灰石纤维填充PTFE复合材料的摩擦学性能

用KH550硅烷偶联剂表面改性的硅灰石纤维(WF)填充PTFE,在MPX-2000型磨损试验机上研究复合材料的摩擦磨损性能,并与经典的炭纤维(CF)填充PTFE复合材料进行比较。采用SEM对磨损面和对偶面进行分析。结果表明:较高载荷(200和300 N)下复合材料摩擦因数随WF含量变化的幅度不大,较稳定地维持在较低值;细小尺寸WF填充PTFE复合材料的耐磨性能较好,在WF质量分数为10%时,复合材料的磨损量只有相同含量CF填充PT-FE复合材料的81%;细小尺寸WF填充PTFE复合材料的磨损面较为平整,存在轻微黏着磨损,其对偶面转移膜平整光滑、结构致密;而CF/PTFE复合材料磨损面存在许多裸露和碎断的CF,犁削和磨粒磨损是主要的磨损形式。     

聚氨酯陶瓷复合材料的抗冲蚀磨损性能研究

用聚四氢呋喃醚二醇和甲苯二异氰酸酯反应后，与陶瓷粉末进行共混，制得抗冲蚀磨损的聚氨酯复合材料。用相对抗冲蚀磨损性法评价了聚氨酯陶瓷复合材料的耐磨性，通过扫描电镜观察了聚氨酯复合材料的磨损形貌，解释了微米级陶瓷粉末增强聚氨酯的抗冲蚀磨损性能机理。结果表明，Si3N4粉末质量分数在5％～10％时，复合材料抗冲蚀磨损性能是聚氨酯的1．87倍，TiN聚氨酯复合材料抗冲蚀磨损性能是聚氨酯的2．81倍。     

Polyester composite based on betelnut fibre for tribological applications

A polyester composite based on betelnut fibres was fabricated and its adhesive wear and frictional performance studied using a block on disk machine at different applied loads and sliding distances at 2.8 m/s sliding velocity under dry/wet contact conditions. SEM was used to study worn surface morphology. The results revealed that betelnut fibre reinforced polyester (BFRP) composite had better wear and frictional performance under wet contact condition compared to dry. The wear mechanism of the BFRP composite was predominated by micro and macro-cracks in the polyester regions and debonding of fibres.     

Friction and Wear Behaviors of Two Kinds of Hydroxyl-Terminated Polydimethylsiloxane-Modified PU/EP IPN Composites Under Dry Sliding Conditions

In this study, a systematic investigation on the tribological properties of two kinds of hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HTPDMS)-modified castor oil-based polyurethane/epoxy resin (PU/EP) interpenetrating polymer network composites (IPN) was carried out through a pin-on-disk arrangement under dry sliding conditions. Experimental results revealed that the incorporation of HTPDMS can significantly improve the friction and wear properties of PU/EP IPN. Further, it was found that both the friction coefficient and wear loss decreased with increasing content of HTPDMS. The worn surface of the PU/EP IPN matrix and the modified composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscope and 3D noncontact surface-mapping profiler. The as-prepared and worn surfaces of the HTPDMS-modified PU/EP IPN were also investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanisms for the improvement of tribological properties were discussed.     

Wear and frictional performance of polymeric composites aged in various solutions

The aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of aging process on the wear and frictional characteristics of polyester composites based on oil palm fibres. Prepared samples of treated oil palm fibre reinforced polyester (T-OPRP) composite were immersed in different types of solutions (i.e. water, salt water, diesel, petrol and engine oil) for three years. The samples were then tested on a Pin on disc (POD) machine subjected to a polished stainless steel counterface under dry adhesive wear at different sliding distances (0-6.72 km). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the damage features on the worn surfaces. Results revealed that aging process has pronounced influence on the adhesive wear and frictional behaviour of the T-OPRP composite. Immersing the samples in water and salt water demonstrated poorest wear performance as compared to the ones immersed in engine oil and diesel. This was mainly due to the higher viscosities of engine oil and diesel solutions as compared to the rest.     

陶瓷粉末种类对聚氨酯复合材料冲蚀磨损性能的影响

用聚四氢呋喃醚二醇(PTMG)、甲苯二异氰酸酯(TD I)反应,与不同种类的陶瓷粉末进行共混,制得耐磨蚀聚氨酯复合材料。评价了聚氨酯陶瓷复合材料的耐磨性,通过扫描电镜观察了聚氨酯陶瓷复合材料的磨损形貌,探讨了陶瓷粉末增强聚氨酯弹性体的磨损机制。结果表明:当—NCO含量为6.35%,Si3N4粉末、TiN粉末质量分数为10%时,耐磨性能最好,分别提高纯聚氨酯弹性体抗冲蚀磨损性能1.88倍和2.81倍。     

Effect of the addition of carbonaceous fibers on the tribological behavior of a phenolic resin sliding against cast iron

The tribological behavior of novolac phenolic resin matrix composites reinforced with three kinds of carbonaceous fibers was studied in sliding contact against cast iron. Slow pyrolysis was used to obtain carbonaceous fibers from Colombian plantain fiber bundles (crops residues from Urabá region). After the carbonization process the samples were heated up to either 1200 or 1400 °C ensuring that many morphological aspects of the natural fibers were retained. Then, novolac phenolic resin with HMTA as curing agent and the carbonaceous fibers were used to obtain a composite material by compression molding process. Samples with different type and volume fraction of carbonaceous fibers were prepared and tested in sliding contact against cast iron in a pin-on-disc wear testing machine. At the end of the tests, the worn surfaces and the debris were analyzed by SEM.A decrease in both friction coefficient and wear of composites was observed with the increase in fiber volume fraction, which was associated to a beneficial effect of the detachment of carbonaceous material from the worn surface. Under the tested conditions, this material remains at the interface between the composite and the cast iron and helps reduce the shear resistance of the interface. On the other hand, surface fatigue and adhesion wear was identified as the dominant wear mechanism of the phenolic resin matrix.     

Comparative study of micro- and nano-ZnO reinforced UHMWPE composites under dry sliding wear

This is a comparative study between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with micro-zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano-ZnO under different filler loads. These composites were subjected to dry sliding wear test under abrasive conditions. The micro- and nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites were prepared by using a hot compression mould. The wear and friction behaviours were monitored using a pin-on-disc (POD) test rig. The pin-shaped samples were slid against 400 grit SiC abrasive papers, which were pasted, on the stainless steel disc under dry sliding conditions. The worn surfaces and transfer film formed were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experimental results showed that UHMWPE reinforced with micro- and nano-ZnO would improve the wear behaviour. The average coefficient of friction (COF) for both micro- and nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites were comparable to pure UHMWPE. The weight loss due to wear for nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites are lower compared to micro-ZnO/UHMWPE and pure UHMWPE. The optimum filler loading of nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites is found to be at 10 wt%. The worn surface of ZnO/UHMWPE composites shows the wear mechanisms of abrasive and adhesive wear. Upon reinforcement with micro- and nano-ZnO, the abrasive and adhesive wear of worn surfaces transited from rough to smooth.