Mechanism of material removal during three-body abrasion of FRP composite

The low-stress abrasive wear behaviour of chopped-glass-fibre-reinforced polyester composites has been studied by using a rubber wheel abrasion test (RWAT) apparatus. Silica sand particles of two different size ranges were used in the current study as dry and loose abrasives. Weight loss of the composites during three-body abrasion has been examined as a function of the sliding distance. Abrasive wear of the composites shows dependence both on abrasive particle sizes and applied load, as well as the weight fraction of glass fibre reinforcement. It has also been observed that the wear rate becomes constant with the increasing sliding distance. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the worn surfaces and to understand the mechanism involved in material removal.