The wear behaviour of composite materials with epoxy matrix filled with hard powder

The wear behaviour of composite materials, sliding under dry conditions against smooth steel counterface, has been investigated. The composite materials consisted of glass woven fabric reinforcing three different systems of matrix: epoxy resin, epoxy resin filled with powders of silica and epoxy resin filled with powders of tungsten carbide. The powders were mixed in a volumetric fraction of 6% with the epoxy resin. Three laminates were manufactured by hand lay up technology. The sliding tests have been conducted on the specimens, cut from the three laminates, with a pin on disk apparatus. The results put in evidence different wear behaviours of the composite materials observed at different values of sliding speed and pressure. The presence of different wear mechanisms has been appreciated by SEM-micrographic examinations.