OVERVIEW ON POLYMER COMPOSITES FOR FRICTION AND WEAR APPLICATION

Composite materials are used more frequently as structural components that are required to sustain friction and wear loadings in service. Ma ny of these composites consist of short fibers embedded in a metallic, polymeric or ceramic matrix. Others have a continuous fiber reinforce d structure, arranged in the form of multidirectional laminates or wov en fabrics. This overview delves on polymer matrix composites and desc ribes the principal microstructural details of short fiber/thermoplast ic matrix composites in addition to their friction and wear properties as a function of both microstructural composition and external testin g conditions. Special attention is focussed on the effects of differen t polymer matrices, fiber reinforcements, and additional internal lubr icants on the coefficient of friction and the specific wear rate of th ese materials when sliding against hard steel counterparts.