Search

Carbon fabric reinforced phenolic (CFRP) composites filled with nano-Al2O3were prepared by a dip-coating and heat molding process and the tribological properties of the resulting composites under different sliding conditions were investigated systematically on a block-on-ring test rig. The worn surfaces were observed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to understand the mechanism. Nano-Al2O3particles, as the filler, were effective in reducing the friction coefficient and wear rate of the CFRP composites. The steady state friction coefficient of the CFRP composites filled with 4 wt.% nano-Al2O3particles was about 65.5% of that of unfilled CFRP composites, and the wear rate, in this case, was about 74.7% of that of unfilled CFRP composites. Tribological tests under different sliding conditions revealed that the filled CFRP composites seemed to be more suitable than unfilled CFRP composites for tribological applications under higher sliding speed and load. Moreover, the wear resistances of the unfilled and filled CFRP composites were found to be related to the stability of the transfer film on the counterface. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Polyimide (PI) composites modified with nano-CuO and graphite were prepared by means of a hot press molding technique. The effects of nano-CuO and graphite on the tribological properties of the composites were studied using a block-on-ring arrangement. The results revealed that the incorporation of graphite alone improved the friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities of the PI composites, whereas incorporation of nano-CuO alone deteriorated the wear resistance of the PI composite owing to its abrasive effect. A synergistic effect was found for the combination of nano-CuO and graphite, which leads to the best tribological properties. The results showed that the filled PI composites exhibited worse tribological properties under higher load and sliding speed, and showed better friction and wear behavior under oil lubrication and worse tribological properties under water lubrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]