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.     

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.     

Tribological behaviour of carbon–carbon composite

Abstract

In the present study, the wear behaviour of cross ply (0/90°) C–C composite with 60 vol.-% fibres has been studied with sliding distance, applied load and sliding velocities. The measurement of specimen temperature has been carried out to study the effect of frictional heating. Furthermore, wear debris and wear track observations are correlated to understand the wear mechanism. The bulk wear increases linearly with distance after an initial running-in period. The temperature studies reveal that frictional heating is more with increase in load or sliding velocity under dry conditions, however, presence of lubrication reduces frictional heating, because exposure of surface for direct contact is reduced, and hence wear rate in all studies with lubrication is less than that under dry condition. The wear track studies show graphite powder, peeling of fibres and dislodging of the surface. At low loads, smearing of graphite powder keeps the wear rate low, but as the load increases; dislodging, delamination of surface and breaking of fibres dominate, and wear rate sharply increases, however, sliding velocity initially enhances the graphite formation reducing the wear, but as the velocity reached an optimum value, there is extensive breakage of fibres, dislodging and delamination of surface, and the wear rate increases sharply.     

Replacing of glass fibres with seed oil palm fibres for tribopolymeric composites

Abstract

In the current study, the possibility of replacing woven glass fibres (WGFs) with seed oil palm fibres (SOPFs) as reinforcements for tribopolymeric composites is investigated. Mainly, two different polyester composites based on woven glass reinforced polyester (WGRP) and seed oil palm reinforced polyester (SOPRP) are developed. Different volume fractions (25, 35, and 45 vol.-%) of SOPFs were considered. The experiments were performed using a block on disc (BOD) machine and the tests were conducted under dry contact condition against smooth stainless steel counterface at 2˙8 m s^–1 sliding velocity, 20 N applied load for different sliding distances (up to 5 km). The wear mechanism was categorised using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results revealed that the steady state was reached after 4 km sliding distance for both WGRP and SOPRP composites. Seed oil palm reinforced polyester composites showed very high friction coefficient compared to WGRP. 35 vol.-% SOPRP composite exhibited a promising wear result, i.e. SOPFs are possible to replace WGFs in polymeric composites reinforcements whereas the wear resistance of the synthetic and natural composite were almost the same. The wear mechanisms for SOPRP composites were predominated by microcracks, deformation and pulledout of fibres while in the WGRP composite, abrasive nature was observed.     

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.     

Study of the Friction and Wear of Electrified Copper against Copper Alloy under Dry or Moist Conditions

The frictional and wear characteristics of electrified copper sliding against a QCr0.5 copper alloy under moist and dry conditions were investigated utilizing a special pin-on-disc apparatus. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to observe the morphology of the copper pin contact surface and analyze its compositions, respectively. The results indicate that the wear rate and frictional coefficient of the copper are reduced as a result of the cooling and lubricating effect of water compared with dry sliding condition. However, both the frictional coefficient and wear rate of the copper material increases with an increase in electrical current under either moist or dry conditions and the frictional coefficient varies within narrow limits under wet conditions. In addition, there is a greater amount of oxygen associated with the surface under wet conditions than dry.     

Tribological Characteristics of Sustainable Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites under Wet Adhesive Wear

The friction and specific wear rate of sustainable kenaf fiber–reinforced polyurethane composites were investigated against stainless steel counterface and under wet contact conditions. The new composites were evaluated at different applied loads (50–80 N), sliding distances (up to 2.7 km), and fiber mat orientations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the damage features on the worn surfaces. The results revealed that sustainable kenaf fibers assisted in enhancing the wear and frictional performance of the polyurethane thermoplastic composite by about 59 and 90%, respectively. Operating parameters and mat orientation controlled the wear and the frictional behavior of the composite. Better wear performance was exhibited at high loads and when the fiber mats were oriented perpendicularly to the sliding direction. Observations of the worn surfaces revealed different features of damage such as microcracks, fiber tearing, fiber detachment, and delamination. However, there was no trace of fiber pull-out in any of the tested conditions.     

Adhesive wear and frictional characteristics of UHMWPE and HDPE sliding against different counterfaces under dry contact condition

Abstract

The current work evaluates the wear and frictional performance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) sliding against different metal counterfaces, stainless steel(SS), mild steel (MS) and aluminium (Al), under dry contact condition. The experiments were conducted using pin on disc machine at different sliding distances (0–40·32 km), 15 N applied load and 2·8 m s^–1 sliding velocity. Interface temperatures and frictional forces were measured simultaneously during the sliding, while specific wear rates were determined for every 1·68 km sliding distance. Based on the optical microscopy of the worn surface and wear track, frictional and wear results were analysed and discussed. The experimental results showed that the type of counterface material significantly influences both frictional and wear performances of the selected polymers. This was mainly due to the film transfer characteristics. Higher temperature and friction coefficient for UHMWPE and HDPE were evident when sliding took place against Al counterface. Sliding the polymers against stainless steel showed low friction coefficients compared to other counterfaces.     

Prediction of friction coefficient of treated betelnut fibre reinforced polyester (T-BFRP) composite using artificial neural networks

The current work is an attempt of using artificial neural network configuration to predict frictional performance of treated betelnut fibre reinforced polyester (T-BFRP) composite. Experimental dataset at different applied loads (5-30 N) and sliding distances (0-6.72 km) was used to train the ANN configuration with a large volume of experimental data (492 sets) where three different fibre mat orientations were considered (anti parallel, parallel and normal orientations). Results obtained from the developed ANN model were compared with experimental results. It is found that the experimental and numerical results showed good accuracy when the developed ANN model was trained with Levenberg-Marqurdt training function.     

Sliding wear behavior of planar random zinc-alloy matrix composites

The friction and wear behavior of planar random zinc-alloy matrix composites reinforced by discontinuous carbon fibres under dry sliding and lubricated sliding conditions has been investigated using a block-on-ring apparatus. The effects of fibre volume fractions and loads on the sliding wear resistance of the zinc-alloy matrix composites were studied. Experiments were performed within a load range of 50–300 N at a constant sliding velocity of 0.8 m s⁻¹. The composites with different volume fractions of carbon fibres (0–30%) were used as the block specimens, and a medium-carbon steel used as the ring specimen. Increasing the carbon fibre volume fraction significantly decreased the coefficient of friction and wear rates of both the composites and the medium-carbon steel under dry sliding conditions. Under lubricated sliding conditions, however, increasing the carbon fibre volume fraction substantially increased the coefficient of friction, and slightly increased the wear of the medium-carbon steel, while reducing the wear of the composite.Under dry sliding conditions, an increasing load increased not only the wear rates of both the composite and the unreinforced zinc alloy, but also those of their corresponding steel rings. However, the rate of increase of wear with increasing load for both the composite and its corresponding steel ring was much smaller than for the unreinforced zinc alloy and its corresponding steel ring. The coefficient of friction under dry sliding conditions appeared to be constant as load increased within a load range of 50–150 N for both the composite and the unreinforced zinc alloy, but increased at the higher loads. Under any load the coefficient of friction of the composite was lower than half that of the unreinforced zinc alloy under dry sliding conditions.     

Wear Behavior of Al-Si Alloy Impregnated Graphite Composite

Pin-on-disk type unidirectional sliding wear experiments for an Al-Si alloy impregnated graphite composite (pin) in contact with a bearing steel (disk) were conducted at various contact loads in wet and dry air to investigate the wear behaviors in detail. The pin-lifting phenomena of the composite as observed. The height was constant at lower loads and increased with load. The entrance of wear particles into the contacting surfaces brought about the pin lifting. Mixtures of graphite powder and wear particles adhered to the sliding surface of the bearing steel, resulting in the formation of wide, compacted surface films. The mean thickness of the films increased with load to a few micrometers. The composite exhibited better wear resistance than the matrices in wet air and the wear rate decreased especially at high loads. The wide, compacted films together with the pin-lifting phenomena prevent metal-to-metal contact, achieving a good anti-wear condition. On the other hand, the surface films that adhere in a scaled fashion in dry air have little wear reduction effect.     

Effect of nanoparticles on the tribological behaviour of short carbon fibre reinforced poly(etherimide) composites

The tribological behaviour of nano-TiO₂ particle filled polyetherimide (PEI) composites, reinforced additionally with short carbon fibre (SCF) and lubricated internally with graphite flakes, was investigated. The wear tests were conducted on a pin-on-disc apparatus, using composite pins against polished steel counterparts under dry sliding conditions, different contact pressures and various sliding velocities. It was found that the conventional fillers, i.e. SCF and graphite flakes, could remarkably improve both the wear resistance and the load-carrying capacity. With the addition of nano-TiO₂, the frictional coefficient and the contact temperature of the composite were further reduced, especially under high pv (the product of the normal pressure, p, and the sliding velocity, v) conditions. Based on microscopic observations of worn surfaces and transfer films on the counterparts, possible wear mechanisms were discussed.     

Friction and wear properties of bronze–graphite composite under water lubrication

Bronze–graphite composite was prepared using powder metallurgy. The friction and wear behaviors of the resulting composites in dry- and water-lubricated sliding against a stainless steel were comparatively investigated on an MM-200 friction and wear tester in a ring-on-block contact configuration. The wear mechanisms of the bronze–graphite composite were discussed based on examination of the worn surface morphologies of both the composite block and the stainless steel ring by means of scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersion spectrometry and on determination of some typical elements on the worn surfaces by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the friction coefficient was higher under water lubrication than that under dry sliding and it showed margined change with increasing load under the both sliding conditions. A considerably decreased wear rate of the bronze–graphite composite was registered under water-lubricated sliding than under dry sliding, though it rose significantly at a relatively higher load. This was attributed to the hindered transfer of the composite onto the counterpart steel surface under water-lubricated sliding and the cooling effect of the water as a lubricant, while its stronger transfer onto the steel surface accounted for its higher wear rate under dry sliding. Thus, the bronze–graphite composite with much better wear-resistance under water-lubricated sliding than under dry sliding against the stainless steel could be a potential candidate as the tribo-material in aqueous environment.     

Adhesive wear and frictional performance of bamboo fibres reinforced epoxy composite

The aim of the present work is to investigate the adhesive wear and frictional performance of BMBFRE composite. Adhesive wear performance of BMBFRE composite was found to be superior for AP-O. The frictional performance of BMBFRE composite was found to be greater at low sliding velocity for AP-O by 44% relative to the high sliding velocity. The temperature differential of BMBFRE composite for AP-O to the sliding direction gave lower interface temperatures of about 31.4% and 13.2% as compared to R-O and P-O. The predominant wear mechanisms for AP-O was back film transfer associated with the formation of fine grooves on the worn surfaces.     

The effect of an alumina counterface on friction reduction of CuO/3Y-TZP composite at room temperature

The friction behavior of CuO/yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TZP) composite in dry sliding against alumina at room temperature has been investigated. The results show that an alumina counterface has a crucial role on the frictional behavior when sliding against CuO/3Y-TZP composite in comparison with other counter materials. Pure 3Y-TZP shows high friction and wear under the same conditions. It is found that the friction reduction behavior is dependent on the sliding test conditions such as load and humidity. A thin aluminum-rich layer less than 200 nm thick on the contact surface during the low friction situation has been found by various analyzing techniques including interference microscopy, micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microcopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The induced change of contact conditions and interfacial chemical reaction between CuO and alumina to form the phase CuAlO₂ increase the wear of alumina and accelerates the formation of an aluminum-rich surface layer. The presence of such a layer in the contact is beneficial for reducing friction. After a certain sliding distance, the coefficient of friction shifts from a low value to a high value due to a change in the dominating wear mechanism. This transition is shown to be caused by a different composition and thickness of the interfacial layer.     

复合镀层的摩擦磨损特性研究

研究了Ni-W-Co/SiC复合镀层的干摩擦滑动磨损特性,分析了载荷、滑动速度及滑动距离对磨损机制的影响。试验结果表明,磨损表面生成稳定的氧化膜将导致磨损机制发生转化。     

Prediction of Wear in Reciprocating Dry Sliding via Dissipated Energy and Temperature Rise

An alternative technique aimed at facilitating the calculation of frictional power dissipation in reciprocating dry sliding is presented. The proposed technique can be employed for the prediction of wear in circumstances where the direct measurement of power dissipation is encumbered by practical limitations. Experimental tests are carried out to investigate the relationship between the system’s wear rate, power dissipation, and thermal response. A convenient technique is also proposed to estimate the average contact temperature in a reciprocating sliding contact. The predicted temperatures agree with the experimental measurements. It is also shown how the predicted temperatures can be used for the estimation of wear under reciprocating dry sliding configuration.     

Sliding wear behaviour of aluminum syntactic foam: A comparison with Al-10 wt% SiC composites

The sliding wear behaviour of cenosphere-filled aluminum syntactic foam (ASF) has been studied in comparison with that of 10 wt% SiC particle reinforced aluminum matrix composite (AMC) at a load of 3 kg and varying sliding speeds under dry and lubricated conditions using a pin-on disc test apparatus. The tribological responses such as the wear rate, the coefficient of friction and the frictional heating were investigated. The wear surfaces and subsurfaces were studied for understanding the wear mechanism. It was noted that the coefficient of friction, the wear rate, and the temperature rise for ASF are less than that for AMC in both dry and lubricated conditions. The craters (vis-à-vis exposed cenospheres) play an important role in the wear mechanism for ASF.     

Sliding wear response of a cast iron under varying test environments and traversal speed and pressure conditions

This study pertains to the examination of sliding wear behaviour of a gray cast iron over a range of sliding speeds and applied pressures in dry and (oil and oil plus graphite) lubricated conditions. Wear properties characterized were wear rate and frictional heating. The cast iron revealed various forms and sizes of graphite particles in a matrix of pearlite and limited quantity of free ferrite. Different solidification patterns, as controlled by the chemical composition and/or carbon equivalent of the alloy and rate of cooling, were thought to be responsible for the varying morphology of the graphite phase formed in the material matrix. Occasional decohesion of graphite at ferrite/graphite interfacial regions was also observed.The wear rate of the cast iron increased with the speed and pressure of sliding due to increasing severity of wear condition. The specimens tended to lose proper contact with the disc at larger pressures when slid dry. This was attributed to severe cracking tendency of the material. On the contrary, specimen seizure was noticed in the oil and oil plus graphite lubricated conditions; the seizure resistance (pressure) decreased with sliding speed in presence of the lubricants. The wear rate versus pressure plots attained different slopes, i.e. the rate of increase in wear rate with pressure, depending on the test environment. One slope and inappreciable effect of pressure on wear rate were noticed due to substantial cracking tendency of the cast iron when tested in dry condition. In the oil lubricated condition also, virtually one slope was observed but it was higher than that in dry condition indicating greater sensitivity of wear rate towards the applied pressure. Also, the samples attained lower wear rate in oil than in dry condition in view of suppressed cracking tendency causing more stable lubricating film formation in presence of the oil lubricant. Addition of graphite particles to the oil lubricant caused a further reduction in wear rate because of the enhanced possibility of a more stable lubricant film formation due to smearing of the graphite particles. In this case, the slope of the wear rate versus pressure plots was the least in the intermediate range of pressures irrespective of the sliding speed owing to more stable lubricating film formation.A higher rate of temperature increase with test duration (intermediate sliding distance) in the beginning was attributed to the abrasive action of the hard debris generated through the fragmentation of the initially contacting asperities. A subsequently observed lower rate of increase at longer durations could be owing to the occurrence of mild wear condition in view of less stressing of the contacting asperities and increased stability of the lubricant film formed. Increase in the rate of frictional heating at still longer durations resulted from destabilization of the lubricating film.Frictional heating increased with applied pressure and sliding speed in view of increasing severity of wear condition. The rate of increase in frictional heating was low initially up to a specific pressure followed by a higher rate of increase at still larger pressures when the tests were conducted in oil plus graphite at both the sliding speeds and in the oil lubricant at the lower speed. A constant (high) rate of increase in frictional heating with pressure was noticed in the dry condition at both the sliding speeds and in the oil lubricant at the higher speed. Low rate of frictional heating with pressure was attributed to the occurrence of mild wear condition while a higher rate of frictional heating with pressure resulted from the occurrence of severe wear condition. As far as the influence of test environment on frictional heating is concerned, least frictional heat was generated in the oil plus graphite lubricant mixture while the maximum was noticed in dry condition, intermediate response of the samples being observed in oil. Formation of more stable lubricating film was thought to be responsible for lower frictional heating in the lubricated conditions; the presence of graphite in the oil lubricant increased the extent of lubricating film formation and stability of the film so formed.The wear response of the samples has been explained in terms of cracking tendency and lubricating effects of graphite, predominance of the counteracting effects of the two parameters over each other, and lubricating film formation by the external oil (plus graphite) lubricant on the sliding surfaces in specific test conditions. Characterization of wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris particles of the material enabled to further substantiate the observed wear performance of the samples.     

Investigation into sliding wear performance of zinc-based alloy reinforced with SiC particles in dry and lubricated conditions

The objective of the present investigation was to assess the influence of SiC particle dispersion in the alloy matrix, applied load, and the presence of oil and oil plus graphite lubricants on the wear behaviour of a zinc-based alloy. Sliding wear performance of the zinc-based alloy and its composite containing SiC particles has been investigated in dry and lubricated conditions. Base oil or mixtures of the base oil with different percentages of graphite were used for creating the lubricated conditions. Results show a large improvement in wear resistance of the zinc-based alloy after reinforcement with SiC particles. The lubrication improved the wear resistance and friction behaviour of both the reinforced and base alloys. It was also observed that there exists an optimum concentration of graphite particles in the lubricant mixture that leads to the best wear performance. The composite experienced higher frictional heating and friction coefficient than the matrix alloy in all the cases except oil lubricated conditions; a mixed trend was noticed in the latter case. The wear rate and frictional heating increased with load while friction coefficient was affected in an opposite manner. Test duration influenced the frictional heating and friction coefficient of the samples in a mixed manner.Examination of worn surfaces revealed a change of predominating wear mechanisms from severe ploughing and/or abrasive wear for base alloy to delamination wear for the reinforced material under dry sliding conditions. The presence of the lubricant increased the contribution of adhesive wear component while reducing the severity of abrasion. This was attributed to the generation of more stable lubricant films on the contacting surfaces. Cross-sections of worn surfaces indicated substantial wear-induced plastic deformation, thereby suggesting adhesive wear to be a predominant wear mechanism in this study. The debris particles revealed deformed flakes and machining chips signifying the involvement of adhesion and abrasion modes of wear respectively.