OVERVIEW ON POLYMER COMPOSITES FOR FRICTION AND WEAR APPLICATION

Composite materials are used more frequently as structural components that are required to sustain friction and wear loadings in service. Many of these composites consist of short fibers embedded in a metallic, polymeric or ceramic matrix. Others have a continuous fiber reinforced structure, arranged in the form of multidirectional laminates or woven fabrics. This overview delves on polymer matrix composites and describes the principal microstructural details of short fiber/thermoplastic matrix composites in addition to their friction and wear properties as a function of both microstructural composition and external testing conditions. Special attention is focussed on the effects of different polymer matrices, fiber reinforcements, and additional internal lubricants on the coefficient of friction and the specific wear rate of these materials when sliding against hard steel counterparts.