A Comparative Investigation of the Tribological Behavior of Short Fiber Reinforced Polyimide Composites Under Dry Sliding and Water-Lubricated Condition

The friction and wear behavior of high performance polyimide (PI) and its composites reinforced with short cut fibers such as carbon fiber, glass fiber and quartz fiber was comparatively evaluated under dry sliding and water-lubricated condition, aiming at selecting matching materials for the pumps of pure water power transmission. The wear mechanisms of the composites under the two different sliding conditions were also comparatively discussed, based on scanning electron microscopic examination of the worn composite and steel counterpart surfaces. As the results, the PI composites reinforced with carbon fiber have the best mechanical and tribological properties compared with glass fiber and quartz fiber. PI composites sliding against stainless steel register lower friction coefficients and wear rates under water-lubricated condition than under dry sliding though the transfer of PI and its composites was considerably hindered in this case. PI and its composites are characterized by plastic deformation, micro cracking, and spalling under both dry-and water-lubricated sliding. Such plastic deformation, micro cracking, and spalling is significantly abated under water-lubricated condition. The glass and quart2 fibers were easily abraded and broken when sliding against steel in water environment, the broken fibers transferred to the mating metal surface and increase the surface roughness of mating stainless steel. This is probably the cause of the increased wear rate of glass fiber and quartz fiber PI composites in this case.     

Study on the synergistic effect of carbon fiber and graphite and nanoparticle on the friction and wear behavior of polyimide composites

In this paper, the effect of short carbon fiber (SCF), graphite (Gr) and nano-Si₃N₄ on the friction and wear behavior of polyimide (PI) composites were studied using a block-on-ring arrangement. Experimental results revealed that single incorporation of SCF and Gr can improve the friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities of the PI composites significantly. However, nano-Si₃N₄ deteriorated the wear resistance of the PI composite drastically as single filler. A synergistic effect was found for the combination of nano-Si₃N₄ and SCF and Gr, which lead to the best tribological properties. It also can be found that the filled PI composites exhibited better tribological properties under higher PV product (the product of load and sliding speed). Moreover, the filled PI composites showed better tribological properties under oil lubrication and worse tribological properties under water lubrication compared with that under dry sliding condition.     

Friction and wear studies of polyimide composites filled with short carbon fibers and graphite and micro SiO2

Polyimide (PI) composites filled with short carbon fibers (SCFs), micro SiO₂, and graphite (Gr) particles were prepared by means of hot press molding technique. The friction and wear properties of the resulting composites sliding against GCr15 steel were investigated on a model ring-on-block test rig. Experimental results revealed that single incorporation of graphite and SCF significantly improve the tribological properties of the PI composites, but micro SiO₂ was harmful to the improvement of the friction and wear behavior of the PI composite. It is found that a combinative addition of Gr, SCF and micro SiO₂ was the most effective in improving the friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities of the PI composites. Research results also show that the filled PI composites exhibited better tribological properties under higher PV-product.     

空心微珠-碳纤维共混改性聚酰亚胺复合材料的摩擦学性能

通过模压成型制备了碳纤维与空心微珠共混改性的聚酰亚胺复合材料, 采用MRH-3型摩擦磨损试验机研究了空心微珠含量、滑动速度及载荷对复合材料摩擦学性能的影响, 并对其磨损形貌及机制进行了分析。结果表明: 空心微珠-碳纤维/聚酰亚胺复合材料摩擦学性能优于其单独填充的聚酰亚胺基复合材料; 空心微珠含量对共混改性的复合材料摩擦系数影响不大, 但其磨损率随着空心微珠含量的增加先减小后增大; 15%空心微珠-10%碳纤维(质量分数)共混增强的复合材料的减摩耐磨性能最佳; 随着滑动速度提高, 空心微珠-碳纤维/聚酰亚胺复合材料的摩擦系数下降, 磨损率增大; 空心微珠-碳纤维/聚酰亚胺复合材料摩擦系数随着载荷增加先下降后上升, 而磨损率则随着载荷增加而增大; 空心微珠-碳纤维/聚酰亚胺的主要磨损机制在较低载荷时为磨粒磨损, 在较高载荷时为粘着磨损和磨粒磨损。     

Orthogonal experimental design applied for wear characterization of aluminum/C<Subscript>sf</Subscript> metal composite fabricated by the thixomixing method

High silicon content aluminum alloy (hypereutectic) possess good tribological characteristics with low coefficients of friction, when embedded with short carbon fiber (C_sf), making this composite a good material choice where good wear and high strength properties are required in light weight components. There is no previously published information available, to the knowledge of the authors, regarding the influence of wear parameters and their interactions on the tribological behavior of C_sf reinforced metal matrix composites. In this study a Taguchi design of experiment (DoE) was conducted to optimize and analyze the effects of the wear parameters on the tribological properties of Al/C_sf metal matrix composite. A novel thixomixing method which was used to process the metal within the semisolid state was employed to embed short carbon fibers homogenously into the metal matrix. The influences of the sliding speed, applied load and volume fraction, of C_sf on the specific wear rate and coefficient of friction were examined, with each of these input parameters tested at three levels(0, 4.2, 8.1%vol.). The results were indicated that Al/C_sf composite had better tribological properties than Al alloy due to which contains carbon as solid lubricant. According to the statistical analysis, the influence of volume fraction of carbon fiber on wear parameters was ranked first; so the load and sliding speed are at the following rankings. The contribution percentage for each parameter was determined by the analysis of variance. The relatively good interfacial adherence of carbon fiber and matrix alloy were demonstrated. The coherent and adherent graphite-rich layer on the worn surface was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Experimental investigation on tribological behaviours of PA6, PA6-reinforced Al<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript> and PA6-reinforced graphite polymer composites

This article reports on the preparation, characterization and experimental investigation of polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with alumina oxide (Al₂O₃) and graphite composites. The test specimens were prepared in an injection-moulding machine by varying the weight proportions of Al₂O₃ and graphite particles blended with PA6. The tribological properties of the composites were observed by using pin-on-disc wear test rig under dry sliding conditions. The worn surfaces of the composites were examined using scanning electron microscope. The addition of Al₂O₃ and graphite significantly enhanced the tribological properties of PA6. The PA6 containing 30 wt% Al₂O₃ and 20 wt% graphite revealed the best tribological behaviours due to the stronger interfacial bonding characteristics with improved wear resistance. Further, the thermal stability of Al₂O₃ and graphite particles was studied through thermogravimetric analysis test. It was also found that further addition of Al₂O₃ and graphite in PA6 had no significant improvement in wear resistance, the co-efficient of friction and heat generation.     

Study on the friction and wear behavior of basalt fabric composites filled with graphite and nano-SiO2

To improve the friction and wear behavior of basalt fabric reinforced phenolic composites, single graphite or nano-SiO₂ and both of them were incorporated. The tribological properties of the resulting composites under different sliding conditions were investigated systematically on a model ring-on-block test rig. The friction and wear mechanisms of the composites were studied through analyzing the worn surfaces and transfer films by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results showed that graphite (Gr) was more beneficial than nano-SiO₂ in improving the tribological properties of basalt fabric composites (BFC) when they were singly incorporated. It is well worth noting that the friction and wear behavior of the filled composites was improved further when nano-SiO₂ and graphite were added together, indicating that there was a synergistic effect between them. Tribological tests under different sliding conditions revealed that the BFC/Gr/SiO₂ composites seemed to be more suitable for tribological applications under higher sliding speed and load.     

Hybrid effect of nanoparticles with carbon fibers on the mechanical and wear properties of polymer composites

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites reinforced with carbon fibers (CFs) and nano-ZrO₂ particles were prepared by incorporating nanoparticles into PEEK/CF composites via twin-screw extrusion. The effects of nanoparticles on the mechanical and wear properties of the PEEK/CF composites were studied. The results showed that the incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ particles with carbon fiber could effectively enhance the tensile properties of the composites. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites increased with the increasing nano-ZrO₂ content. The enhancement effect of the particle was more significant in the hybrid reinforced composites. The compounding of the two fillers also remarkably improved the wear resistance of the composites under water condition especially under high pressures. It was revealed that the excellent wear resistance of the PEEK/CF/ZrO₂ composites was due to a synergy effect between the nano-ZrO₂ particles and CF. CF carried the majority of load during sliding process and prevented severe wear to the matrix. The incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ effectively inhibited the CF failures through reducing the stress concentration on the carbon fibers interface and the shear stress between two sliding surfaces. It was also indicated that the wear rates of the hybrid composites decreased with the increasing applied load and sliding distance under water lubrication. And low friction coefficient and low wear rate could be achieved at high sliding velocity.     

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

The friction and wear characteristics of three-dimensional (3D) braided carbon fiber-epoxy (C_3D/EP) composites under lubricated sliding conditions against a quenched medium-carbon steel counterface were studied. Wear tests were performed under different loads at two velocities. Comparative wear tests under dry conditions were carried out to investigate the influence of lubrication. Tribological properties of the C_3D/EP composites with various fiber loadings and two different fiber-matrix adhesion strengths were assessed. It was found that the lubricated contact promoted lower wear rates and friction coefficients. Compared to dry sliding, the tribological performance of the C_3D/EP composites under lubrication was less dependent on fiber content, fiber-matrix bonding, load, and velocity than dry sliding. The worn surfaces of the C_3D/EP composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore the relevant mechanisms.     

Influence of Fibre Orientation on Friction and Sliding Wear Behaviour of Jute Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composite

Jute fibre reinforced polyester composites were developed and characterized for friction and sliding wear properties. Effect of fibre orientation and applied load on tribological behaviour of jute fibre reinforced polyester composites were determined. It is found that wear resistance was maximum in TT sample, where fibres were normal to sliding direction. Wear rate under sliding mode follows this trend; W_TT < W_LT <W_LL LL sample showed higher capability to sustain the load whereas lowest wear resistance found in this case. The coefficient of friction found highest for TT sample and lowest for LT sample. The coefficient of friction decreased with increase of applied load. Worn surfaces were analysed and discussed with the help of SEM.     

碳纤维和二硫化钼混杂增强尼龙复合材料的摩擦学性能研究

以注塑成型法制备MoS₂和碳纤维混杂增强尼龙1010复合材料,采用MM-200型磨损试验机考察复合材料摩擦磨损性能。研究结果表明:在干摩擦条件下,MoS₂和碳纤维混杂可显著改善尼龙复合材料摩擦学性能,较小载荷下复合材料磨损以轻微磨粒磨损和疲劳磨损为主,较高载荷下复合材料则以热疲劳断裂剥落磨损为主。摩擦过程中MoS₂和对偶铁发生摩擦化学反应,生成和对偶底材具有较强结合能力的硫化亚铁和硫酸铁等,同时部分被氧化生成MoO₃。     

Optimization of tribological parameters in abrasive wear mode of carbon-epoxy hybrid composites

Abrasive wear performance of fabric reinforced composites filled with functional fillers is influenced by the properties of the constituents. This work is focused on identifying the factors such as filler type, filler loading, grit size of SiC paper, normal applied load and sliding distance on two-body abrasive wear behaviour of the hybrid composites. Abrasive wear tests were carried on carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composite (C-E) filled with filler alumina (Al₂O₃) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) separately in different proportions, using pin-on-disc apparatus. The experiments were planned according to Taguchi L18 orthogonal array by considering five factors, one at two levels and the remaining at three levels, affecting the abrasion process. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was employed to optimize the tribological parameters having multiple-response. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine the significance of factors influencing wear. Also, the comparative specific wear rates of all the composites under dry sliding and two-body abrasive wear were discussed. The analysis showed that the filler loading, grit size and filler type are the most significant factors in controlling the specific wear rate of the C-E composite. Optimal combination of the process parameters for multi performance characteristics of the composite under study is the set with filler type as MoS₂, filler loading of 10 wt.%, grit size 320, load of 15 N and sliding distance of 30 m. Further, the optimal parameter setting for minimum specific wear rate, coefficient of friction and maximum hardness were corroborated with the help of scanning electron micrographs.     

Impact of lubrication on the tribological behaviour of PTFE composites for guide rings application

In this study, the friction and wear behaviours of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based composites were comparatively evaluated under dry sliding and oil-lubricated conditions. Two PTFE composites filled with bronze and bronze + molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) were considered. These composites were used as guide rings for hydraulic actuating cylinder. Friction and wear tests of the composite specimens sliding against high chromium steel ball were conducted using reciprocating linear tribometer. The wear mechanisms of the composites under the two different sliding conditions were analysed and discussed based on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examinations of the worn surface and optical micrographs of the steel counterface. Under the oil-lubricated condition, the friction and wear behaviours of the composites were considerably improved if compared to that under the dry sliding. The oil adsorbed layer limited the transfer of the composite to the steel counterface and avoided the oxidation of the MoS₂ during the sliding test.     

Different reinforcement strategies of hybrid surface composite AA6061/(B4C+MoS2) produced by friction stir processing

Aluminum surface composites have gained huge importance in material processing due to their noble tribological characteristics. The reinforcement of solid lubricant particles with hard ceramics further enriches the tribological characteristics of surface composites. In the current study, friction stir processing was chosen to synthesize hybrid surface composites of aluminum containing B₄C and MoS₂ particles with anticipated improved tribological behavior. B₄C and MoS₂ powder particles in 87.5: 12.5 ratio were reinforced into the AA6061 by hole and groove method. Microstructural observations indicated that reinforcement particles are well distributed in the matrix. The hardness and wear resistance of hybrid surface composites improved as compared to the base material, due to well distributed abrasive B₄C and solid lubricant MoS₂ particles in AA6061. The hybrid surface composites achieved ∼32 % increased average hardness as compared to the base material. Hole method revealed ∼13 % better wear resistance compared to the groove method for friction stir processed hybrid surface composite, attributing to an improved homogeneity of particle distribution shown by zigzag hole pattern. Moreover, friction stir processed AA6061 without reinforcement particles exhibited reduced hardness and wear resistance due to loss of strengthening precipitates during multi-pass friction stir processing.     

Surface damage of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites under reciprocating sliding in ambient air

For many technical applications friction and wear are critical issues. Reinforced polymer-matrix composites are widely used under vibrating contact condition in various automotive and aerospace applications as well as in structural engineering. In this paper, the friction and wear of bulk epoxy and unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite have been investigated under reciprocating sliding against either alumina or stainless steel balls in ambient air. The effect of sliding direction with respect to the long and unidirectional carbon fibers has been studied. We demonstrate that the carbon fiber reinforcement greatly improves the tribological properties of the thermoset epoxy: it reduces the coefficient of friction and the debris formation. It was found that on sliding in the anti-parallel direction a more significant degradation takes place than in the parallel direction. The coefficient of friction measured on bulk epoxy sliding against either stainless steel or alumina is around 0.65, whereas the coefficient of friction measured on epoxy reinforced with carbon fibers is significantly lower, namely down to 0.11. It was found that sliding with a stainless steel ball in a direction parallel to the fiber orientation results in a lower coefficient of friction than sliding in anti-parallel direction. The reduced coefficient of friction is largely influenced by the carbon fiber reinforcement due to the auto-protecting film formed as a paste in the contact area and along the wear track edges. The relationship between friction and degradation of the composite material including surface wear and debris formation are discussed based on an in-depth analysis of the worn surfaces by optical and scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and white light interferometry.     

The effect of silane coupling agent on the sliding wear behavior of nanometer ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/bismaleimide composites

The polymer composites filled with nanoparticles have good friction and wear properties and widely used in many fields. The performances of nanocomposites are influenced extensively by the nanoparticles morphology, size, volume fraction and dispersion. Nanometer ZrO₂ particles have good properties, lower prices and shows good foreground in resist-materials of polymer composites. In this paper, the nanometer ZrO₂ particles are treated by silane coupling agent of N-(2-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropylmethyl dimethoxy silane. The effect of nanometer ZrO₂ content and silane coupling agent on the friction and wear properties of BMI copmposites filled with nanometer ZrO₂ are investigated. The composites filled with untreated ZrO₂ and treated ZrO₂ are prepared by the same way of mechanical high shear dispersion process and casting method. The sliding wear performance of the nanocomposites is studied on an M-200 friction and wear tester. The experimental results indicate that the frictional coefficient and the wear rate of the composites can be reduced by filled with nanometer ZrO₂. The composites containing treated nanometer ZrO₂ have the better tribological performance than that containing untreated nanometer ZrO₂. The results are explained from the SEM morphologies of the worn surface of matrix resin and the composites containing nanometer ZrO₂ and the TEM photographs of the nanometer ZrO₂ dispersion in the matrix.     

聚四氟乙烯/碳纤维增强聚酰亚胺复合体系的摩擦学性能

研究评价了不同PTFE含量的碳纤维增强P1复合材料的力学和摩擦学性能，并分析了在干摩擦和水润滑2种不同条件下的磨损表面形貌和磨损机理。研究表明：PTFE以10%添加时PI/CF/PTFE体系的机械性能最佳，而摩擦学性能以5%添加为佳；随PTFE含量的增加，复合材料的摩擦系数降低，磨损率增加。水润滑下，摩擦系数和磨损率比干摩擦下的都有相应的降低。干摩擦下，材料的磨损均以塑性变形、微观破裂及破碎为主导；水润滑下，这一机制显著减弱，归因于水的润滑和冷却作用。     

Synthesis and tribological behavior of metakaolinite-based geopolymer composites

Metakaolinite-based geopolymer composites containing 5%–30% (volume fraction) scalelike graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), respectively, were synthesized in the presence of a compound activator composed of aqueous NaOH and sodium silicate at room temperature. The tribological behaviors of the resulting composites sliding against AISI-1045 steel were investigated on an MM-200 friction and wear tester, and the bending strength and compressive strength of the composites were determined on a universal materials tester. Moreover, the worn surfaces of the composites were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which was aimed to reveal the wear mechanisms of the composites. It was found that all the three kinds of the tested solid lubricants contributed to greatly decrease the friction and wear of the composites, and they were also able to remarkably reduce the fluctuation of the friction coefficient. This was attributed to the formation of a lubricating film containing higher content of the detached solid lubricant particulates and the oxidized product Fe₂O₃ of the counterpart steel wear debris. The metakaolinite-based geopolymer was dominated by severe adhesion wear, while its composites filled with the solid lubricant particulates were characteristic of mild adhesion, scuffing, and delamination.     

Effect of surface oxidation treatment on the tribological performance of carbon fiber reinforced polyimide composites

The effect of ozone surface treatment of carbon fibers (CF) on the tensile strength and tribological properties of carbon fiber reinforced polyimide (CF/PI) composite was investigated. Experimental results revealed that the tensile strength of ozone and air oxidation treated CF reinforced PI composite was improved compared with that of untreated composite. Compared with the untreated and air‐oxidated CF/PI composite, the ozone treated composite had the lowest friction coefficient and specific wear rate under given applied load and reciprocating sliding frequency. Ozone treatment effectively improved the interfacial adhesion between CF and PI. The strong interfacial adhesion of the composite made CF not easy to detach from the PI matrix, and prevented the rubbing‐off of PI, accordingly improved the friction and wear properties of the composite.