Friction and wear behavior of three-dimensional braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites under dry sliding conditions

Sliding friction and wear characteristics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fabric reinforced epoxy resin (C-3D/EP) composites were investigated. Tests were performed on a MM200 tester under normal loads of 50, 150, and 250 N and velocities of 0.42 and 0.84 m/s. A quenched medium carbon steel with a hardness of HRC 52 was used as the counterpart material. The specific wear rate and the coefficient of friction were examined as a function of testing conditions (load, velocity, and sliding distance) and material parameters (fiber volume fraction and fiber-matrix bonding). The results showed that the coefficient of friction and the specific wear rate changed considerably during the running-in period and reached stable values at the steady wear stage. Fiber volume fraction and testing conditions (load and velocity) affected the wear more significantly than the friction. It was also found that fiber-matrix bonding had an impact on the friction and wear of the 3-D composites. Furthermore, the specific wear rate decreased with the increase in the product of load and velocity. Worn surfaces and debris were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and wear mechanisms were discussed in this study. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.