Tribology of Polymer Composites

Characterization, Properties, and Applications

Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa, Suchart Siengchin, Jyotishkumar Parameswaranpillai, Klaus Friedrich

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780128197677
• eBook ISBN: 9780128231739
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Tribology of Polymer Composites: Characterization, Properties, and Applications provides an exhaustive overview of the latest research, trends, applications and future directions of the tribology of polymer composites. Covering novel methods for the synthesis of polymer composites and their properties, the book starts by reviewing the fabrication techniques, wear and frictional properties of polymer composite materials. From there, it features chapters looking at the tribological behavior and properties of specific polymer composite materials such as synthetic fiber-reinforced, cellulose fiber-reinforced, wood fiber, synthetic fiber, mineral fiber-reinforced, and thermosetting composites. Final chapters cover the tribology of polymer nanocomposites and particulate polymer composites and their metal coatings. Applied examples spanning a wide range of industries are emphasized in each chapter. - Demonstrates the potential of polymer composites and their applications - Covers novel methods for the synthesis of polymer composites and their properties - Reviews the fabrication techniques, wear and frictional properties of polymer composite materials

Chapter 1: Outline to tribology of polymer composites

Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa^a; Jyotishkumar Parameswaranpillai^a; Suchart Siengchin^a; Klaus Friedrich^{b a} Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
^b Institute for Composite Materials (IVW GmbH), Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany

Abstract

Recent research and development in the field of “Tribology” was focused on the potential use of polymer-based composites in various applications due to its lightweight, ease of processing, and cost-effectiveness. This chapter provides the basics and fundamentals of tribology of polymer composites.

Keywords

Composites; Tribology; Matrix; Fibers; Friction; Reinforcement

Composites are structural materials that consist of two or more chemically distinct constituents that are combined at the macroscopic/nanoscopic level, with a distinct interface that separates them. In other words, composites contain two phases, i.e., a discontinuous phase and a continuous phase. The discontinuous phase is dispersed in the continuous phase. The discontinuous phase is usually harder and stronger so that it is termed the reinforcement, and the one in which it is embedded, i.e., the continuous phase, is termed the matrix. The reinforcement phase may be in the form of fibers, particles, or flakes. The matrix material can be metallic, polymeric, and ceramic. Some of the properties of composite materials are their high specific strength and modulus, thermal properties, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and fatigue life [1–5].

Composite materials can be classified based on the geometry of the reinforcement or by the type of matrix. Depending on the types of reinforcement, composite materials can be classified as particulate composites, flake composites, and fiber composites. Particulate composites consist of a polymer matrix with very small particles, sometimes with a size of less than 0.25 μm. The particles can have any shape or size and may be oriented randomly in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites with metal particles or glass spheres are examples for particulate composites. They have higher physical, mechanical, and thermal properties compared to the pure matrix materials. Flake composites consist of flat reinforcements. Common examples of flake reinforcements are glass, mica, silicon carbide, graphite, etc. Flake composites exhibit high modulus, strength, and thermal properties. Fiber composites consist of discontinuous or endless fibers in the continuous matrix. Fiber-reinforced composites are further classified into unidirectional fiber composites, bidirectional composites, discontinuous fiber composites, and woven fiber-reinforced composites. Recently, natural fibers are often preferred instead of synthetic fiber reinforcements due to their environmental friendliness, easy availability, cheapness, and lower density. The fiber-reinforced composites have more strength, modulus, and good elongation at break. In laminated composites, layers of preimpregnated fibers (so-called prepregs) are stacked one over the other at various angles to form a multilayer laminate [6–10].

Based on the matrices, the composites are classified into three categories such as polymer matrix composites (PMC), metal matrix composites (MMC), and ceramic matrix composites (CMC). The PMC can be further classified into thermosetting, thermoplastic, and rubber composites. Recent research on PMC surpasses MMC and CMC due to their lightweight, good thermomechanical properties, lower cost, and easy processability. The most commonly used thermoplastics are polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyamide, high-impact polystyrene, polyetheretherketone, etc. Common examples of thermosets are phenol-formaldehyde resin, epoxy resins, polyesters, etc. Natural rubbers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, chloroprene, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, silicone rubbers, etc., are examples of elastomers.

For the advancement of environmentally friendly polymer composites, the development of new materials is always preferred. Natural fibers are one of such materials that are lightweight, environmentally friendly, and of low cost. Sometimes natural fibers are also preferred over synthetic fibers because of their nontoxicity. Some examples of natural fibers are sisal, jute, kenaf, banana, bamboo, hemp, flax, etc. Studies have shown that continuous fiber reinforcements usually provide better mechanical properties compared to discontinuous fiber or particle reinforcements [11–15]. The polymer-based composites are produced by various manufacturing processes depending on the types of polymer composites. The short fiber and nanoparticle-based polymer composites are developed by common manufacturing processes such as injection molding, compression molding, sheet forming, thermal stamping, and thermoplastic filament winding. The thermoset-based composites are fabricated by resin transfer molding, vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, compression resin transfer molding, pultrusion, autoclave processing, and filament winding [2, 16, 17].

“Tribology” is the study of wear, friction, and lubrication of interacting surfaces in relative motion. Tribology is an interdisciplinary subject; it is connected with mechanical engineering, material science, physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics [18]. Great attention was focused on the study of the tribology of polymeric composites due to the increased replacement of metals and alloys in tribological components. This is because polymer composites are lightweight, corrosion resistant, and they also have a lower friction coefficient compared with materials based on metals/alloys [19, 20]. Self-lubricating properties of polymeric composites in industrial machinery can prevent contamination of the use of lubricating oils or greases [21, 22]. Friction refers to the resistance to movement when a solid surface is in contact with another solid surface. This is due to electromagnetic interaction between the charged particles present in either of the solid surfaces. There are two types of friction, static and kinetic friction. Static friction is the force that keeps the object at rest or in other words it is the minimum force needed to move the object. On the other hand, kinetic friction is the friction that is generated between moving partners. Wear is the surface damage, surface deformation and/or removal of material from the surface, all generated between the moving surfaces [23–26]. Lubrication is the use of oil or grease to reduce friction and wear. The failures related to wear and friction lead to high costs for industries. However, wear seems to be more critical than friction, since it can cause catastrophic and operational failures that can negatively affect productivity and cost [27]. Various parameters of polymer composites, namely, surface roughness, surface tension, surface wettability, and physical and chemical interactions of lubricants have a significant influence on the tribological performance of the materials [28–30]. Therefore, the study of friction, wear, and lubrication is of high interest in industries as it reduces the waste of resources because ...

Table of contents

• Tribology of Polymer Composites
• Chapter 1 Outline to tribology of polymer composites
• Chapter 2 Recent advances in tribology of hybrid polymer composites
• Chapter 3 Development and tribological properties of polymer composites
• Chapter 4 Tribological behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer composites
• Chapter 5 Tribological characterization of cellulose fiber-reinforced polymer composites
• Chapter 6 Effect of adding sisal fiber on the sliding wear behavior of the coconut sheath fiber-reinforced composite
• Chapter 7 Influence of coconut and graphite fillers on the wear and friction behavior of epoxy composites
• Chapter 8 Tribological behavior of nanoclay-filled basalt fiber-reinforced polymer composites
• Chapter 9 Slurry jet erosion wear of particulate polymer composites and metal coating
• Chapter 10 Tribology of thermosetting composites
• Chapter 11 Tribological studies of surface-modified sansevieria cylindrica fiber-reinforced polyester composites
• Chapter 12 Friction and wear properties of carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composites
• Chapter 13 Sustainable tribology: Processing and characterization of multiscale thermoplastic composites within hydropower applications
• Chapter 14 Tribological characterization of different mesh-sized natural barite-based copper-free brake friction composites
• Chapter 15 Tribological studies and modal analysis on biocomposite/PVC core sandwich panels
• Chapter 16 Synergism of fillers on adhesive and abrasive wear of thermoplastic copolyester elastomer composites
• Chapter 17 Tribological applications of polymer composites
• Index