Influence of fibre orientation on three-body abrasive wear behaviour of unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced polyetherimide composite

Three-body abrasive wear behaviour of neat polyetherimide (PEI) and unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced PEI (CF/PEI) has been studied using a rubber wheel abrasion test rig. The abrasive wear studies were carried out at different loads (5-20 N) at a constant sliding velocity (v = 2.4 m/s) of rubber wheel. The influence of fibre orientation, i.e. parallel (P-fibre orientation) and antiparallel (AP-fibre orientation) on wear rate of CF/PEI composite has also been studied. The results showed that the fibre orientation has a significant influence on the three-body abrasive wear behaviour of CF/PEI. The abrasive wear rate was higher when fibres are oriented at antiparallel than that of parallel orientation of fibres. The worn surfaces have been observed using scanning electron microscope to understand the possible wear mechanisms involved during material removal processes.