SLIDING WEAR OF POLYMERIC COMPOSITES

The wear mechanisms of two different polymeric composites sliding against metal were investigated experimentally. The sliding distance, normal force and sliding speed were the test variables. Microscope observations showed that the mode of wear of the two materials is similar. Subsurface deformation, crack nucleation at the matrixharder particle or matrix-glass fibre interface, crack propagation parallel to the surface at a depth corresponding to the friction coefficient and crack shearing to the surface were found in both materials. The wear particles often have the shape of thin sheets. Comparison of the metal subsurfaces and wear particles with those of the polymers indicates that the mechanism of wear of semicrystalline composites is similar to delamination wear. Since film transfer greatly influences friction and wear it should be considered together with crack growth in fatigue in the prediction of wear of polymeric composites. © 1979.