Coefficient of friction for aluminum in contact with a carbon fiber epoxy composite

Abstract In bolted joints, a large part of the load is transferred by friction. The objective of this investigation is to measure the coefficient of friction for carbon fiber epoxy matrix composite, HTA-6376, in contact with aluminum, 3637-77, in reciprocal sliding. During testing, the coefficient of friction increased initially with number of cycles and after reaching a maximum, slowly decreased. The initial coefficient of friction is approximately 0.23 and the peak coefficient of friction after wear in is approximately 0.68. The coefficient of friction is independent of normal load. During wear, cracks are formed at the fiber–matrix interface, which causes the matrix layer on the original composite surface to break off in pieces. It also causes single fibers or groups of fibers to be broken off and removed from the surface. Pieces of carbon fiber caused depressions in the aluminum surface. The wear debris is reattached to the composite surface but not to the aluminum surface.

[1]  I. Hutchings,et al.  A model for the friction of multiphase materials in abrasion , 1996 .

[2]  Joakim Schön,et al.  Coefficient of friction and wear of a carbon fiber epoxy matrix composite , 2004 .

[3]  N. Suh,et al.  Effect of fiber orientation on friction and wear of fiber reinforced polymeric composites , 1979 .

[4]  Mitsukazu Ochi,et al.  Frictional behaviour of cured epoxide resins , 1983 .

[5]  J. Youn,et al.  Friction and wear bahavior of short fiber‐reinforced poly(amide‐imide) composites , 1992 .

[6]  H. Czichos,et al.  Tribological studies on rubber-modified epoxies: influence of material properties and operating conditions , 1986 .

[7]  P. D. Herrington,et al.  Factors affecting the friction coefficients between metallic washers and composite surfaces , 1991 .

[8]  Robert L. Fusaro,et al.  Counterface effects on the tribological properties of polyimide composites , 1986 .

[9]  Klaus Friedrich,et al.  Recent advances in polymer composites' tribology , 1995 .

[10]  L. Ye,et al.  Sliding friction and wear of carbon fibre-polyetheretherketon commingled yarn composites against steel , 1996 .

[11]  D. Tabor,et al.  The friction of carbon fibres , 1976 .

[12]  R. K. Kumar,et al.  Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Glass-Epoxy Composite , 1999 .

[13]  M. Furey,et al.  Tribological behavior of unidirectional graphite-epoxy and carbon-PEEK composites , 1993 .

[14]  Joakim Schön,et al.  Coefficient of friction of composite delamination surfaces , 2000 .

[15]  Johan Ekh,et al.  Secondary Bending in Multi Fastener, Composite-to-Aluminium Single Shear Lap Joints , 2005 .

[16]  B. Vishwanath,et al.  Effect of reinforcement on friction and wear of fabric reinforced polymer composites , 1993 .