Influence of graphite filler on two-body abrasive wear behaviour of carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites

The influence of graphite filler additions on two-body abrasive wear behaviour of compression moulded carbon-epoxy (C-E) composites have been evaluated using reciprocating wear unit and pin-on-disc wear unit under single pass and multi-pass conditions respectively. The carbon fabric used in the present study is a plain one; each warp fiber pass alternately under and over each weft fiber. The fabric is symmetrical, with good stability and reasonable porosity. Abrasive wear studies were carried out under different loads/abrading distance using different grades of SiC abrasive paper (150 and 320 grit size). Graphite filler in C-E reduced the specific wear rate. Further, the wear volume loss drops significantly with increase in graphite content. Comparative wear performance of all the composites showed higher specific wear rate in two-body wear (single-pass conditions) compared to multi-pass conditions. Further, the tribo-performance of C-E indicated that the graphite filler inclusion resulted in enhancement of wear behaviour significantly, Wear mechanisms were suggested and strongly supported by worn surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.