Micro-Driving behavior of carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin for standing-wave ultrasonic motor

The application of the friction drive of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites to a standing-wave ultrasonic motor was investigated. Friction drive tests were conducted on carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resins (CF/epoxy) by home-made test rig, which was based on plate-rod vibrator. The effects of fiber orientation and ply thickness on dynamic drive and dynamic normal forces were investigated. Fiber orientation angle and ply thickness affected friction drive. Different dynamic drive forces, which varied both in amplitude and period, were observed for CF/epoxy composites with different winding angles. A CF/epoxy composite with a winding angle of 30 degrees showed the largest dynamic drive force (approximate to 0.45 N) and the shortest contact period (approximate to 26 s). The period of dynamic normal force was uniform (approximate to 65 s) for various CF/epoxy composites. Wear traces of different composites exhibited different wear modes, such as scuffing, peeling, and shearing. The anisotropic property of CF/epoxy material affected the drive process of standing-wave ultrasonic motor. The current study taking the carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin as an example of anisotropic materials arise more enough attention on inexpensive, biodegradable, and renewable alternatives for the efficient and durative drive of a standing-wave ultrasonic motor. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2152-2159, 2016. (c) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers