Low stress abrasion of laser irradiated GFRP composites: an experimental and microstructural study

The present paper reports, the mechanism of material removal during low stress abrasive wear of high weight percent glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. Two different geometries of glass fibre reinforcement namely woven roving (WR) and chopped strand mat (CSM) were used. Unsaturated isophthalic polyester and bisphenol based epoxy resins were used as matrix for the reinforcement. Rubber Wheel Abrasion Tester (RWAT) was used for evaluating the abrasive wear behaviour of the composites. The composite samples were irradiated using a low power He-Ne laser for different time periods, having intensity of 5 mW. The abrasive wear performance of the composites has been determined as a function of applied load, sliding distance and laser irradiation time. The microstructural features of the abraded surfaces of both the laser irradiated and unirradiated composites have been observed by using a scanning electron microscope. Unsaturated polyester based glass fibre woven roving (WR) composite had a higher wear volume as compared to the epoxy based composite. The trend reversed in the case of chopped strand mat (CSM) composites, in which epoxy-based composite showed higher wear volume. The abrasive wear volume of all the composites decreased on irradiating it with laser. These results have been discussed, based on experimental wear data and observed microstructural features of the abraded surfaces.     

Effect of different matrices on wear characteristics of glass woven roving/polymer composites

The influence of three thermosetting matrix resins — epoxy, polyester and poly(vinylbutyral)-modified phenolic — on the sliding wear of glass woven roving reinforced polymer composites under dry conditions has been investigated. Amongst the three composites, glass/phenolic composites exhibit the highest mechanical properties whereas the highest wear resistance (minimum specific wear rate) is offered by glass/epoxy composites. The critical velocity, at which the specific wear attains a minimum value, is higher for glass/polyester composite than for the other two composites. The lowest coefficient of friction has been observed in glass/phenolic composites at all sliding velocities.     

Effect of Short Fibre Reinforcement on the Friction and Wear Behaviour of Nylon 66

Use of thermoplastic composite material for load bearing components is increasing due to economical processing of complicated shapes in large quantities. Addition of fibre improves the strength and modulus of composites. Although the tribo-behaviour of thermoplastic composites were investigated, the friction and wear mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Friction and wear behaviour of injection unfilled Nylon 66, glass fibre reinforced Nylon 66 and carbon fibre reinforced Nylon 66 is investigated under dry sliding conditions. Tests were conducted at different normal loads and sliding velocities at room temperature. Coefficient of friction, wear loss and heat generation during the wear tests were quantified. Presence of fibre affects coefficient of friction and wear resistance of Nylon 66 matrix composites. The formation and stability of the transfer films affects the wear resistance. The rise in temperature during sliding was also calculated and also measured. The contact temperature rise is influenced by the composition which in turn influences the fibre adhesion and thereby the wear resistance. Glass fibre reinforced Nylon exhibited the lowest wear rate among the materials investigated. Both adhesive and abrasive wear mechanisms were observed in polymer matrix composites.     

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.     

Study on friction and sliding wear behavior of woven S-glass fiber reinforced vinylester composites manufactured with different comonomers

The effect of variations in sliding velocity and applied normal load on the friction and sliding wear behavior of glass–vinylester composite (G–V) is studied by measuring the weight change and observing the surface features of worn specimens using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The G–V composites were manufactured with Bi-directional woven S-glass fibers (65 wt%) reinforced with vinylester resin with different comonomers. Friction and wear experiments were carried at ambient conditions on a Pin on disc machine arrangement. The wear in the experiment was determined from the weight loss measured after running against steel disc at sliding velocities of 1, 2, 3, and 4 m/s and applied normal load of 10, 20, 30, and 40 N. The experimental findings show increase in specific wear rate with increase the applied load. Specific wear rate was maximum for the sample A (Styrene as Comonomer), intermediate for sample B (Methyl acrylate as comonomer), and least for sample C (Butyl acrylate as comonomer). It was also observed that increasing normal load and sliding velocity the coefficient of friction decreases. The scanning pictures show features like tendency for the matrix to adhere towards the fiber, debris formation, network of cracks, agglomeration of debris, and broken fibers depending on the load and velocity employed.     

Wear characteristics of spray formed Al-alloys and their composites

In the present investigation, different Al based alloys such as Al–Si–Pb, Al–Si, Al–Si–Fe and 2014Al + SiC composites have been produced by spray forming process. The microstructural features of monolithic alloys and composite materials have been examined and their wear characteristics have been evaluated at different loads and sliding velocities. The microstructural features invariably showed a significant refinement of the primary phases and also modification of secondary phases in Al-alloys. The Pb particles in Al–Si–Pb alloy were observed to be uniformly distributed in the matrix phase besides decorating the grain boundaries. The spray formed composites showed uniform distribution of SiC particles in the matrix. It was observed that wear resistance of Al–Si alloy increases with increase in Pb content; however, there is not much improvement after addition of Pb more than 20%. The coefficient of friction reduced to 0.2 for the alloy containing 20%Pb. A sliding velocity of 1 ms⁻¹ was observed to be optimum for high wear resistance of these materials. Alloying elements such as Fe and Cu in Al–Si alloy lead to improved wear resistance compared to that of the base alloy. The addition of SiC in 2014Al alloy gave rise to considerable improvement in wear resistance but primarily in the low pressure regime. The wear rate seemed to decrease with increase in sliding velocity. The wear response of the materials has been discussed in light of their microstructural features and topographical observation of worn surfaces.     

Dry sliding wear behavior of extruded titanium matrix composite reinforced by in situ TiB whisker and TiC particle

The dry sliding wear behavior of titanium matrix composite (TMC) reinforced by in situ TiB whisker and TiC particle was investigated. Compared to the unreinforced pure Ti matrix, the TMC exhibited a markedly improved wear resistance due to the existence of the ceramic reinforcements. The TMC showed lower friction coefficient than the pure Ti. The mean values of steady-state friction coefficient of the TMC and pure Ti against a tool steel were about 0.270–0.330 and 0.385–0.395, respectively, under the loads of 40–100 N. Meanwhile, the TMC showed lower weight loss and its surface wearing was less severe compared to that of the pure Ti. The worn surface of the TMC was covered with mild grooves and some fine wear debris, which exhibited the characteristic of both adhesive and abrasive. TiO₂ was found on the worn surface due to the oxidation behavior of the Ti matrix, which may reduce the wear tendency of the TMC. The results show that the in situ ceramic reinforcements could greatly increase the wear resistance of pure Ti.     

Effect of heat treatment in air on the structure and properties of barium osumilite reinforced with Nicalon fibres

Microstructural studies have been carried out on glass-ceramic matrix composites, consisting of barium osumilite reinforced with Nicalon fibres, which have been subjected to heat treatment in air in the range 600–1100 °C. Parallel studies have involved the measurement of the friction stress between fibre and matrix and the flexural strength of the composite. The matrix was shown to consist of barium osumilite, hexacelsian, mullite and a silica-rich glass, the thermal mismatch of these different phases leading to the development of appreciable strains. Whilst high-temperature treatments caused the formation of voids due to flow of the glassy phase, the major factor controlling the mechanical properties of the composite was the fibre/matrix interface. A change in microstructure, from a weak carbon-rich interface to one where the fibre and matrix were strongly bonded together by a silica layer, was thus reflected in an increase in the interfacial friction stress and a change in fracture behaviour from one showing fibre pull-out and delamination to one with brittle characteristics.     

Tribological performance of polymer composites used in electrical engineering applications

Sliding wear performance of 20% mica-filled polyamide 6 (PA6 + 20% mica) and 20% short glass fibre-reinforced polysulphone (PSU + 20 GFR) polymer composites used in electrical applications were investigated using a pin-on-disc wear test apparatus. Two different disc materials were used in this study. These are AISI 316 L stainless steel and 30% glass fibre-reinforced polyphenylenesulphide (PPS + 30%GFR) polymer composite. Wear test was carried out at 10, 20 and 30 N applied load values and 0·5 m/s sliding speed and at ambient temperature and humidity. Different combinations of rubbing surfaces were examined and friction coefficient and specific wear rate values were obtained and compared. For two material combinations used in this investigation, the coefficient of friction shows insignificant sensitivity to applied load values and large sensitivity to material combinations. For specific wear rate, PA6 + 20% mica composite has shown insensitivity to change in load, speed and materials combination while PSU + 20% glass fibre composite has shown high sensitivity to the change in load and material combinations. The friction coefficient of PA6 + 20% mica and PSU + 20 glass fibre rubbing against the AISI 4140 steel disc is between 0·35 and 0·40. In rubbing against PPS + 30% glass fibre their values were between 0·25 and 0·30. Specific wear rate for PA6 + 20% mica and PSU + 20% glass fibre composites are in the order of 10^???13 to 10^???14 m²/N. Finally, the wear mechanisms are a combination of adhesive and abrasive wear processes. In terms of application, especially in electrical systems, a substantial contribution was provided to extend switch life. Thus, besides robustness, this also ensured safety for the system and the users against undesirable situations.     

In State of Art: Mechanical and tribological behaviour of polymeric composites based on natural fibres

In this article, a comprehensive literature review on the mechanical and tribological behaviour of polymeric composites based on natural fibres is introduced. The effects of volume fraction, orientations, treatments and physical characteristics of different types of natural fibres on the mechanical and tribological properties of several thermoset and thermoplastic polymers are addressed. The effects of the tribological operating parameters (applied load, sliding velocity and sliding distance) on the frictional and wear performance of natural fibre polymer composites are demonstrated. The collected date and analyses revealed that volume fraction, orientations, type of treatment and physical characteristics of the natural fibres significantly influence the mechanical and tribological behaviour of composites. The most influence key in designing natural fibre/polymer composite is the interfacial adhesion of the fibre with the matrix. NaOH chemical treatment found to be the most useful treatment method to enhance the interfacial adhesion of the natural fibres with the matrix, while other techniques exhibited either no effect or deterioration on the fibre strength. Frictional characteristics of the natural fibre composites are poor and solid lubricants are recommended to reduce the friction coefficient of the materials.     

Effect of testing conditions and microstructure on the sliding wear of graphite fibre/PEEK matrix composites

The sliding friction and wear behaviour of unreinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrix and its unidirectional continuous and two-dimensional woven graphite fibre-reinforced composites were investigated. The operating wear mechanisms, as evinced by scanning electron microscopy of the worn surfaces, and the coefficients of friction and the wear rates changed considerably with the fibre reinforcement form and orientation. Sliding wear rates, on account of their extreme sensitivity to the microstructure of the interacting surfaces at the sliding interface, were found to be a function of not only the surface roughness, but also of the sliding time. Complex interactions arising due to the effects of the testing parameters such as fibre orientation, sliding velocity, contact pressure and interface temperature were characterized for the neat matrix and the two composite systems. The wear rates of the two-dimensional woven composites were almost an order of magnitude lower than those of the unidirectional fibre composite or the unreinforced matrix.     

The effect of fibre orientation of the dry sliding wear of borsic-reinforced 2014 aluminium alloy

The effect of fibre orientation on the dry sliding wear of continuous B(SiC) fibre reinforced aluminium alloy composites was investigated using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine. The metal-matrix composites (MMC) samples were tested in the normal (N), parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) orientations sliding against a steel counter disc at a fixed speed of 1 m s^–1 under loads of from 12 to 60 N.The results showed that for the matrix alloy and MMCs, the average wear increased linearly with load. Wear of the MMCs was insensitive to fibre content but for composites with fibre contents at or above the minimum of 16 vol% used for this work, the wear rate was about 18% of that of the unreinforced matrix. Fibre orientation had a minor effect on wear rate; the N orientation gave the lowest wear rate with the AP orientation slightly higher and the P orientation significantly higher.The average coefficients of friction of the MMCs in N and AP orientations decreased linearly with increased wear rate and non-linearly with increased load, but the P orientation was insensitive to either variable.It was concluded from these results and a metallographic examination that the mechanism of wear of MMCs was essentially oxidative wear of the matrix. The hard fibres modified this to slightly different degrees depending on their orientation relative to the wear surface and sliding direction.     

Design of newly fabricated tribological machine for wear and frictional experiments under dry/wet condition

Nowadays, there is demand to evaluate tribological performance of new engineering materials using different techniques. Various laboratory tribo-machines have been designed and fabricated such as Pin-on-Disc (POD), ASTM G99, Block-on-Ring (BOR), ASTM G77 or G137-953, Dry Sand Rubber Wheel (DSRW), ASTM G655, Wet Sand Rubber Wheel (WSRW), ASTM G105, and sand/steel wheel test under wet/dry conditions (ASTM B611). A concept of integrating more than one tribo-technique at different contact mechanisms (line or area) working simultaneously under same test condition against same material is introduced in a current designed machine. Different wear modes (adhesive, two-body-abrasive, three-body-abrasive, under dry, lubricated, or slurry conditions) can be conducted on the same machine. Results of adhesive wear, friction and interface temperature of glass fibre reinforced polyester composite under wet/dry contact condition are reported at 50 N load for different sliding speeds (2.8–7.8 m/s) using the new machine. Weight loss and friction coefficient of the composite were substantially influenced by introducing water as lubricant. Additionally, the contact condition has the high influence key on the wear and frictional performance of the composite.     

Effect of sliding speed on friction and wear of uni-directional aramid fibre-phenolic resin composite

A previous study on the tribological performance of a compression-moulded aramid fibre-phenolic resin composite, containing 30% continuous fibre, showed that this composite provides a reasonable combination of the friction coefficient and wear rate to be used as a friction component, such as a brake shoe. In the present work, the effect of sliding speed on the friction and wear behaviour of this composite has been investigated. The sliding experiments were conducted in a speed range of 0.1–6 m s^–1 at two normal pressure levels of 1.0 and 4.9 MPa. The coefficient of friction was found to be stable over a wide range of sliding speeds and normal pressures. The wear of the composite was found to be insensitive to changes in the speed in the higher speed range. The results have been supplemented with scanning electron micrographs to help understand possible friction and wear mechanisms.     

Effect of glass hybridization and staking sequence on mechanical behaviour of interply coir–glass hybrid laminate

The interest in fibre-reinforced polymer composites is growing rapidly due to its high performance in terms of mechanical properties, significant processing advantages, excellent chemical resistance, low cost, and low density. The development of composite materials based on the reinforcement of two or more fibre types in a matrix leads to the production of hybrid composites. In the present work, woven coir–glass hybrid polyester composites were developed and their mechanical properties were evaluated for different stacking sequences. Scanning electron micrographs of fractured surfaces were used for a qualitative evaluation of interfacial properties of woven coir–glass hybrid polyester composites. These results indicated that coir–glass hybrid composites offered the merits of both natural and synthetic fibres.     

The sliding wear behavior of TiCp/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites

The AZ91 metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 5, 10 and 15 wt.% TiC particulates are fabricated by TiC_p–Al master alloy process combined with mechanical stirring. The effects of TiC particulate content, applied load and wearing time on the sliding wear behaviors of the composites were investigated using MM-200 wear testing apparatus. The results show that the wear resistance and friction coefficient of the composites increased and decreased with increase of the TiC particulate content, respectively. The wear volume loss and friction coefficient of the reinforced composites as well as the unreinforced AZ91 matrix alloy increased with increase of applied load or wearing time, but the increase rates of the reinforced composites in two performance is lower than those of the unreinforced AZ91 matrix alloy. Furthermore, the sliding wear behavior of the composites and the unreinforced AZ91 matrix alloy is characterized by ploughing, adhesion and oxidation abrasion.     

Friction and wear of a glass woven roving/modified phenolic composite

The friction and wear behaviour of a glass woven roving/poly(vinyl) butyral modified phenolic composite, sliding under dry conditions against a cast iron counterface, has been investigated. Friction and wear of the composite show a marked dependence both on sliding velocity and normal pressure. Microscopic observations of the worn surface indicate that the higher wear loss and low friction coefficient for the composites at higher sliding velocities as well as at higher normal loads is probably due to fracture of weft fibres of the glass woven roving fabric reinforcement. The results are discussed on the basis of existing wear models of composite materials.     

The abrasive wear behaviour of continuous fibre polymer composites

The dry abrasive-dominant wear behaviour of several composite materials consisting of uni-directional continuous fibres and polymer matrices was investigated. Seven materials were examined: neat epoxy (3501-6), carbon fibre epoxy (AS4/3501-6), glass fibre/epoxy (E-glass/ 3501-6), aramid fibre/epoxy (K49/3501-6), neat polyetheretherketone (PEEK), carbon fibre/PEEK (APC2) and aramid fibre/PEEK (K49/PEEK). The wear behaviour of the materials was characterized by experimentally determining the friction coefficients and wear rates with a pin on-flat test apparatus. First, the effects of the operation variables apparent normal pressure, sliding velocity and apparent contact area were observed. The dimensionless wear rate increased linearly as the apparent normal pressure increased and decreased as the apparent contact area increased. Second, through microscopic observations of the worn surfaces and subsurface regions, basic wear mechanisms were identified as a function of fibre orientation. Observations of fibre-abrasive particle interactions allowed for the differentiation of the dominating wear mechanisms. Finally, a network of data was compiled on the wear behaviour in terms of the three material parameters: fibre orientation, fibre material and matrix material. This enabled the systematic selection of an ideal low wear composite material which would consist of a PEEK matrix reinforced with aramid fibres oriented normal to the contacting surface and carbon fibres oriented parallel to the contacting surface.     

Structures formed during the friction of a metal-ceramic composite on steel under high-velocity sliding conditions

We present the results of investigations of the structures of friction surfaces and tribological characteristics of a ceramic-metal (WC-steel 110G13) composite upon dry friction on steel in a rod-on-disk configuration in a range of sliding velocities from 0.65 to 40 m/s at a pressure of 2 MPa. The region of catastrophic wear in this system is observed at 23–30 m/s and is followed by a region of steady-state wear at a sliding velocity above 30 m/s. The sharp increase in the rate of wear at 23–30 m/s is related to a change in the wear mechanism. It is established that three layers with different structures and properties are formed in the WC-steel 110G13 composite near the friction surface.     

Friction and wear properties of polyphenyl ester and graphite filler in the carbon fibre‐reinforced ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene composites

Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with carbon fibre (CF) underwent an enhancement of heat and wear resistant with the addition of polyphenyl ester (POB) and graphite, respectively. The effect of graphite content on the tribological properties of the composites was studied. The wear surface was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of the sliding wear tests showed that with graphite loading, wear resistance increased and the coefficient of friction was much more stable. In addition, graphite improved the tribological properties of the composite. Hardness, impact strengths and thermal stability of the composites were enhanced. With increased load, the wear rate of the ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene+carbon fibre+polyphenyl ester+10 % graphite composite tended to increase, whereas the coefficient of friction decreased. The adherence and plastic deformation were dominant wear mechanisms for the ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene+carbon fibre+polyphenyl ester+graphite composites. The formation of a thin and uniform transfer film was observed.