Dry sliding wear behavior of glass-epoxy composite

The effect of variations in sliding velocity and applied load on the wear b ehavior of glass-epoxy composite is studied by measuring the weight changes and observing the surface features using scanning electron microscopy. Sli ding velocities and loads in the range 1-5 m/s and 20-60 N respectively wer e used in the experiments with wear test pin having flat face of the pin in contact with hardened rotating steel disc. The wear loss increases with th e increasing applied load and sliding velocities. The scanning Pictures sho w assorted features like tendency for the matrix to adhere towards the fibe r, less debris formation, network of cracks, agglomeration of debris and br oken fibers depending on the load and velocity employed.