Influence of fiber–matrix adhesion and operating parameters on sliding wear performance of carbon fabric polyethersulphone composites

Carbon fabric (CF) reinforced polyethersulphone (PES) composites were fabricated using solution impregnation technique. Cold remote nitrogen–oxygen plasma (CRNOP) treatment to the CF was done to enhance the fiber–matrix adhesion. The developed composites based on treated and untreated CF were evaluated for tribological properties in sliding/adhesive wear mode under various operating conditions such as load, temperature and humidity. The composite with treated fabric excelled in all tribo-properties such as low coefficient of friction; high wear resistance and high limiting load. The fiber surface analysis was done with FESEM at higher resolution and lot of perforations on the treated surface was found to be one of the causes for enhanced fiber–matrix adhesion apart from inclusion of functional groups (Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy). Worn surface analysis was done by using SEM and EDAX technique to understand wear mechanism and investigate the fiber–matrix adhesion.