Influence of Plasma Treatment on Carbon Fabric for Enhancing Abrasive Wear Properties of Polyetherimide Composites

Interfacial adhesion between matrix and fiber plays a crucial role in controlling performance properties of composites. Carbon fibers have major constraint of chemical inertness and hence limited adhesion with the matrix. Surface treatment of fibers is the best solution of the problem. In this work, cold remote nitrogen oxygen plasma (CRNOP) was used for surface treatment. Twill weave carbon fabric (CF) (55–58 vol%) was used with and without plasma treatment with varying content of oxygen (0–1%) in nitrogen plasma to develop composites with Polyetherimide (PEI) matrix. The composites were developed by compression molding and assessed for mechanical and tribological (abrasive wear mode) properties. Improvement in tensile strength, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was observed in composites due to treatment. Similarly, improvement in wear resistance (W _R) and reduction in friction coefficient (μ) were observed in treated fabric composites when slid against silicon carbide (SiC) abrasive paper under varying loads. A correlation between wear resistance and tensile strength was slightly better than that in Lancaster–Ratner plot indicating that ultimate tensile strength (S) and elongation to break (e) were contributing to control the W _R of the composites. It was concluded that enhanced adhesion of fibers with matrix was responsible for improvement in performance properties of composites, as evident from SEM, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) technique.     

Studies for Wear Property Correlation for Carbon Fabric-Reinforced PES Composites

Polyethersulfone (PES) composites were developed with carbon fabric (CF). Cold remote nitrogen oxygen plasma (CRNOP) treatment was employed to the CF to incorporate functional groups and promote fiber–matrix adhesion. This study includes the effect of PES melt flow index (MFI) on the wettability of CF and its influence on fretting wear performance. Evaluations of fretting wear properties of composites led to the conclusion that the CRNOP treatment proved beneficial to enhance performance properties significantly. Polymer MFI and treatment to CF proved to be the decisive parameters for controlling performance of composites apart from operating parameters. Perforations on the treated carbon fiber, evidently observed by FESEM, improved the fiber–matrix adhesion, and hence the performance properties. Artificial neuron network (ANN) was used for prediction of the wear behavior of composites.     

Influence of orientation and volume fraction of Aramid fabric on abrasive wear performance of polyethersulfone composites

In case of fabric reinforced composites of specialty polymers influence of orientation of fabric and its volume fraction on tribo-behaviour is sparingly studied. In our earlier work, we have reported on the influence of amount of Aramid fabric (AF) in polyethersulfone (PES) on abrasive wear performance. However, orientation effect of fabric with respect to abrading plane was not investigated. In this work three orientations of composites of PES containing Aramid (Kevlar 29) fabric with three concentrations 64, 72 and 83 wt.% were selected to study the influence on abrasive wear performance. Composites developed by compression molding technique were characterized for their mechanical and physical properties. The abrasive wear performance of the composites was evaluated by abrading 10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm sample against silicon carbide (SiC) paper under various loads and two grades of abrasive papers. The fabric reinforcement enhanced the abrasive wear resistance of PES significantly (approximately 1.35–9.46 times depending on the operating conditions). It was observed that 83% fabric composite showed the highest resistance to abrasive wear and impact along with the best tensile strength and elongation properties. Its flexural strength and ILSS values, however, were the lowest. Sixty-four percent fabric composite, on the other hand, showed an exactly reverse trend among the three composites. Among the three orientations, fibres in normal and parallel (N–P) and normal and anti-parallel (N–AP) direction with respect to sliding plane proved to impart maximum wear resistance. N–P was best for light loads while N–AP was best for high loading conditions. Orientation parallel and anti-parallel (P–AP) was least beneficial in this respect. Moreover, the extent of improvement very much depended on the operating parameters such as grit size and load. Benefits endowed due to reinforcement were higher at less coarse grade paper. With increase in load, however, wear rate of composites with N–P orientation increased and for other two orientations it decreased. Thus, for severe operating conditions, N–AP orientation proved to be most beneficial. SEM studies proved supporting for understanding the influence of orientation on wear performance.     

Carbon fabric reinforced polyetherimide composites: Optimization of fabric content for best combination of strength and adhesive wear performance

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based high strength carbon fabric (plain weave) reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) composites were fabricated using impregnation technique by selecting five different contents of carbon fabric, viz. 85, 75, 65, 55 and 40 vol.%. These bidirectional (BD) composites were evaluated for their mechanical strength as well as tribological behavior in adhesive wear mode. Dry adhesive wear studies were conducted on a custom designed wear tester in which high PV conditions can be simulated. Tests were conducted at various operating parameters such as load, temperature and orientation of fabric with respect to the sliding plane. Two important results were observed; firstly the moderate CF contents (75, 65 and 55 vol.%) proved to be the most effective in manifold increase in mechanical strength of PEI and secondly, the composites with fabric in the direction normal to sliding plane led to very high coefficient of friction (μ). When fabric was parallel to the sliding plane, significant improvement in the tribo-properties of PEI in terms of very high tribo-utility (up to 600 N), appreciably low μ and enhanced wear resistance (W_R) (in the range of 10⁻¹⁶ m³/N m) was achieved. The extent of improvement, however, strongly depended on the operating parameters and fabric content. A fairly good correlation was obtained between W_R and combination of mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength (S), and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). Wear mechanism studies by SEM supported the observed wear performance of composites.     

The effect of fiber oxidation on the tribological behavior of 3D-braided carbon fiber/nylon composites

To investigate the influence of carbon fiber oxidation on the tribological behavior of the 3D-braided carbon fiber/nylon composites (C_3D/MCN), C_3D/MCN composites were prepared. The characteristics of carbon fibers with different conditions were characterized. The mechanical property, friction and wear tests of the composites with untreated and treated carbon fabric were performed and the worn surface morphology and wear debris were analysed. The results show that the specific surface area of the treated carbon fiber was far higher than that of the untreated carbon fiber and there formed a functional group of –CO on the carbon fiber surface after air oxidation. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and shear strength of C_3D/MCN composites with oxidized carbon fiber fabric were improved. The friction coefficient and wear rate of C_3D/MCN composites with oxidized carbon fiber fabric were apparently lower than that with untreated carbon fiber fabric. In conclusion, the surface treatment favored the improvement of the higher interface strength and so had good effect on improving the tribological properties of the composites.     

Influence of weave of carbon fabric on abrasive wear performance of polyetherimide composites

Three composites of Polyetherimide (PEI) reinforced with carbon fabric (CF) of three weaves viz. plain, twill and satin-4 H were developed keeping the amount of fabric constant (55% by vol.). Studies on mechanical properties confirmed that the twill weave composite (T) showed the highest strength, modulus (both tensile and flexural) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) followed by satin (S) and plain weave (P) composites. The performance order, however, was reverse in the case of toughness and elongation to break. Specific wear rate in a single-pass, unidirectional and un-lubricated abrasive wear mode against SiC paper showed strong influence of weave in mild wear condition (load 10 N). Composite S showed the highest wear resistance (W _R) followed by composites T and P. With increase in load, the difference in performance diminished to the extent that at 40 N, it was almost similar for all the three composites. This was correlated with the difference in the length of the fibers between crossover points which, in turn, allowed the microdisplacement of fibers in the composites during abrasion. This was supported by the SEM.

Friction and wear behavior of three-dimensional braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites under dry sliding conditions

Sliding friction and wear characteristics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fabric reinforced epoxy resin (C_3D/EP) composites were investigated. Tests were performed on a MM200 tester under normal loads of 50, 150, and 250 N and velocities of 0.42 and 0.84 m/s. A quenched medium carbon steel with a hardness of HRC 52 was used as the counterpart material. The specific wear rate and the coefficient of friction were examined as a function of testing conditions (load, velocity, and sliding distance) and material parameters (fiber volume fraction and fiber–matrix bonding). The results showed that the coefficient of friction and the specific wear rate changed considerably during the running-in period and reached stable values at the steady wear stage. Fiber volume fraction and testing conditions (load and velocity) affected the wear more significantly than the friction. It was also found that fiber–matrix bonding had an impact on the friction and wear of the 3-D composites. Furthermore, the specific wear rate decreased with the increase in the product of load and velocity. Worn surfaces and debris were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and wear mechanisms were discussed in this study.     

Effect of plasma treatment of Kevlar fabric on the tribological behavior of Kevlar fabric/phenolic composites

Pure and plasma-treated Kevlar fabrics were used to prepare Kevlar fabric/phenolic composites by consecutive dipping of the fabric in phenolic adhesive resin. The friction and wear performance of the resulting composites has been evaluated in a pin-on-disk wear tester at various dry-sliding conditions. The surface changes occurring on Kevlar fibers treated with air-plasma were analyzed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, the impact of air-plasma treatment time and power on the friction and wear behavior of Kevlar fabric/phenolic composites composed of the air-plasma-treated Kevlar fabrics was systematically studied. It was found that plasma treatment can significantly improve the tribological performance of the prepared Kevlar fabric/phenolic composites; the best performance was after a plasma treatment at 50 W for 15 min. The plasma treatment generates oxygenic and nitrogenous groups on the surface of the fabric, coupled with an increase of the surface roughness, strengthening the bond between the Kevlar fabric and phenolic adhesive resin and hence improving the tribological properties of the Kevlar fabric/phenolic composites.     

聚乙烯亚胺修饰碳纤维对环氧树脂复合材料性能的影响

为提高碳纤维与环氧树脂的界面结合性能,从而提高复合材料的摩擦学性能,用聚多巴胺和聚乙烯亚胺对碳纤维进行表面修饰,利用光谱分析仪和扫描电子显微镜分析修饰前后碳纤维表面的化学组成和微观结构,利用万能材料试验机和摩擦磨损试验机考察碳纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能和摩擦学性能。结果表明：碳纤维经表面处理之后的粗糙程度和活性官能团增多,改善了纤维与树脂之间的界面结合,使得复合材料的弯曲强度和拉伸强度得到不同程度的提高;与未修饰碳纤维增强的环氧树脂复合材料相比,表面修饰碳纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料的耐磨性能得到了很大程度的提高,复合材料的磨损机制也由疲劳磨损转变为磨粒磨损。     

Effects of Chromium Addition on Microstructure and Abrasion Resistance of Fe–B Cast Alloy

This research work studies the effects of chromium on microstructure and abrasion resistance of Fe–B cast alloy. The results show that eutectic boride changes from continuous network to less continuous and matrix changes from pearlite to martensite with the increase in chromium content in the alloy. Meanwhile, an increase in chromium addition in the alloy leads to an increase in the chromium content in M₂B-type boride because chromium can enter boride by substituting for iron in Fe₂B. Under two-body wear, Fe–B cast alloy exhibits excellent wear resistance. When alloys are tested against soft abrasive, chromium can markedly improve the wear resistance of Fe–B cast alloy, whereas excessive chromium can reduce the wear resistance. The wear resistance of Fe–B cast alloy increases first and then decreases with the increase in chromium. But when tested against hard abrasive, since the hardness of SiC is much higher than that of M₂B boride, an increase in chromium content marginally increases the wear resistance. Weight losses of Fe–B cast alloy increase with the increase in the load and exhibit the linear relationship.     

Impact of Viscoelasticity on the Tribological Behavior of PTFE Composites for Valve Seals Application

In this article, we studied and explored the impact of viscoelasticity on the friction and wear behavior of pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon–graphite PTFE composite, and glass fiber–MoS₂ PTFE composite. Tests were carried out using a specific reciprocating tribometer for valve seal application. The worn surfaces of the PTFE composites and the transfer films formed on the counterface were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experimental results revealed that the addition of filler materials was effective in reducing the wear volume in all composites studied. In addition, the friction coefficient and wear resistance showed high sensitivity to the viscoelastic behavior of the PTFE seal. SEM investigation showed that the incorporation of particulate fillers into the PTFE matrix could dramatically reduce and stabilize the transfer films to the counterface, so they largely decreased the wear of the PTFE composites.     

Abrasive wear studies on composites of PEEK and PES with modified surface of carbon fabric

Carbon fabric (CF) being inert towards the matrix, the quality of its adhesion with the matrix is poor and hence, needs treatment to enhance fiber-matrix bonding. In this paper, cold remote nitrogen oxygen plasma (CRNOP) treatment to CF was employed to improve fiber-matrix adhesion. Composites were developed using CF with polyethersulphone (PES) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrices. Performance enhancement due to CF treatment was quantified by improvement in mechanical and wear resistance (W_R) properties. A fairly good linearity was observed for specific wear rate (K₀×ILSS) as a function of a factor (μP/E).     

Effects of Ceramic Fiber on the Friction Performance of Automotive Brake Lining Materials

Friction material containing aluminum-silicon fiber was prepared. The effects of the aluminum-silicon fiber content on fade, recovery, and wear properties of the friction material were studied using a friction tester with a constant speed. Morphologies of the wear surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the heat fading resistance property of friction material was clearly improved when the content of aluminum-silicon wool was more than 5 wt.%, but the property of recovery declined and the wear rate increased slightly at the same time. The wear mechanisms were adhesive and abrasive, caused by the zircon sand, for the semi-metal friction material, while the abrasive wear of hybrid fiber reinforced composites was caused by cracked ceramic fibers and zircon sand.     

Correlation between abrasive wear resistance and changes in structure and residual stresses of steels

The connection between the structure and abrasive wear resistance of steels was studied. Samples of AISI 1020, 1040 and 1080 steels were tested. The initial hardness of the samples ranged from HV221 – for annealed steel AISI 1020, to HV868 – for water quenched and tempered at 180°C steel AISI 1080. Two‐body abrasive tests on silicon carbide abrasive paper of grit size 1200–240 were carried out on a friction machine under identical conditions for all specimens. X‐ray studies of the specimens were conducted before and after these tests. It was shown that characteristics such as the integral width of diffraction lines could be used as a universal indicator of abrasive wear resistance for steels, independently of their heat treatment. The compressive residual stresses in the surface layers of the steels were observed. The results showed that there is a correlation between abrasive wear resistance and the sign and magnitude of residual stresses in the surface layers of steels, as well as between abrasive wear resistance and the structural changes in these layers. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Wear behaviour of Al/(Al2O3p+SiCp) hybrid composites

In this study, dry sliding metal–metal and metal–abrasive wear behaviours of the aluminium matrix hybrid composites produced by pressure infiltration technique were investigated. These composites were reinforced with 37 vol% Al₂O₃ and 25 vol% SiC particles and contained up to 8 wt% Mg in their matrixes. While matrix hardness and compression strength increased, amount of porosity and impact toughness decreased with increasing Mg content of the matrix. Metal–metal and metal–abrasive wear tests revealed that wear resistance of the composites increased with increasing Mg addition. On the other hand, abrasive resistance decreased with increasing test temperature, especially above 200 °C.     

Optimization of surface treatment to enhance fiber–matrix interface and performance of composites

Oxidation treatment with concentrated HNO₃ was employed to the carbon fabric (CF) for various time intervals (30–180 min) to observe the effect of treatment on two simultaneous processes involved viz. improvement in its adhesion with the matrix and reduction of fiber strength which in turn is responsible for change in the performance properties of composites. Seven composites with untreated and acid treated CF were developed based on the polyetherimide (PEI) matrix and evaluated for adhesive wear properties under various loads (200–600 N) against mild steel disc. 90 min treated CF composite indicated the best tribological properties and showed 30% reduction in specific wear rate (K₀) and 23% in coefficient of friction (μ) respectively at 600 N load. Treatment beyond this time proved detrimental for improvement in properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed increase in roughness with treatment time, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies indicated substantial increase in roughness value. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of worn surfaces supported the wear mechanisms and improvement in adhesion between fiber and matrix.     

Influence of molecular weight on performance properties of polyethersulphone and its composites with carbon fabric

The effect of molecular weight (MW) of a polymer on the wettability of fibers and its influence on the performance properties need to be addressed in detail. Specialty polymer, viz. polyethersulphone (PES), with varying MW was selected as a matrix material to develop the composites with carbon fabric (CF). Since carbon fiber is inert towards the matrix, cold remote nitrogen–oxygen plasma (CRNOP) treatment was employed to improve its chemical reactivity, by incorporating functional groups to promote the fiber–matrix adhesion. Evaluation of mechanical and sliding wear properties of polymers and composites led to the conclusion that the CRNOP treatment was beneficial to enhance performance properties. The MW and MFI have inverse relation. MW proved to be a controlling parameter for pristine polymers while melt flow index (MFI) was the decisive parameter for the performance of composites. Perforations and increased roughness on the treated carbon fiber, as observed by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), were responsible for the improved fiber–matrix adhesion and hence performance properties.     

Friction and dry sliding wear behavior of carbon and glass fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites

Friction and dry sliding wear behavior of glass and carbon fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites have been presented. The results show that the coefficient of friction and wear rate increased with increase in load/sliding velocity and depends on type of fabric reinforcement and temperature at the interphase. The excellent tribological characteristics were obtained with carbon fiber in vinyl ester. It is believed that a thin film formed on counterface was seems to be effective in improving the tribological characteristics. The worn surfaces examined through SEM, showed higher levels of broken glass fiber in vinyl ester compared to carbon-vinyl ester composites.     

Influence of solid lubricants and fibre reinforcement on wear behaviour of polyethersulphone

Polyethersulphone (PES), is an amorphous, brittle and high temperature engineering thermoplastic. Two composites of PES containing short glass fibres (GF) and solid lubricants viz. PTFE and MoS₂; and two composites containing short carbon fibre (CF) [30% and 40%] were selected for the present studies. Compositional analysis of selected materials was done with various techniques such as gravimetry, solvent extraction and thermal analysis viz. thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These materials were studied for adhesive and abrasive wear performance by sliding against a mild steel disc and silicon carbide abrasive paper respectively, under different loads. It was observed that GF reinforcement along with incorporation of solid lubricants (PTFE and MoS₂) enhanced the wear performance of PES by an order of two. In the case of solid lubricants, PTFE proved to be more beneficial than MoS₂. CF reinforcement, however, proved to be the most effective in enhancing wear performance of PES. PES reinforced with 40% CF exhibited a specific wear rate in the order of 10⁻¹⁶m³/Nm which is considered to be very good for the thermoplastic composite. In the case of abrasive wear behaviour, however, incorporation of fibres or solid lubricants deteriorated the performance of the neat matrix. SEM was employed to investigate the wear mechanisms.     

On the abrasive wear behaviour of mineral filled polypropylene

The effects of mineral fillers on the wear resistance of polypropylene (PP) have been investigated. A general purpose homopolymer grade was used as the matrix. The mineral fillers investigated were talc, CaCO₃, BaSO₄ and fly ash, representing a range of morphology, size and hardness. The wear behaviour was assessed by pin-on-paper abrasion tests. The wear surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of mineral fillers to the polypropylene matrix decreases the wear resistance under severe abrasive conditions. Under mild abrasive conditions the shape and size of the reinforcing filler influence the wear performance. The tensile strength behaviour of each composite, together with the physical properties of the fillers and a microscopic investigation into the modes of material deformation and removal are used to interpret this observed wear behaviour.