A study on the effect of the type and content of filler in epoxy–glass composite system on the friction and slide wear characteristics

The comparative performance of glass–epoxy (G–E) composites, having rubber in one instance and graphite of two differing levels in epoxy matrix resin in the other, during sliding in pin-on-disc type set up under varying load and sliding velocities is reported in this investigation. Besides conventional weighing, determination of coefficient of friction (μ) and examination of the worn surface features by scanning electron microscope (SEM) were undertaken to have an overall picture of the tribological behaviour of the filled composites. For increased load and sliding velocity situations, higher wear loss was recorded. In case of rubber-bearing samples, the coefficient of friction values show an increasing trend with a rise in load and a decrease in their values for increase in velocity. The coefficient of friction increases with increase in load for a fixed velocity in higher graphite bearing samples. However, G–E composite having either lower or higher amount of graphite shows, respectively, either a decrease or increase in coefficient of friction with an increase in sliding velocity for a fixed load. Thus, the higher graphite bearing G–E composite records lower coefficient of friction for any combination of load and velocity. These are explained on the basis of frictional drag forces and formation of graphite film on the surface. Some of these deductions are supplemented by SEM observations.