Tribological studies on glass fiber reinforced polyetherketone composites

The result of experimental investigations on the mechanical and tribological properties of injection moulded neat polyetherketone (PEK) and its glass fiber reinforced composites are presented in this paper. A series of PEK composites reinforced with glass fibers in the range of 0-30% were selected. The mechanical properties studied were tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength, flexural modulus, hardness and impact strength. Composites were characterised by using Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The tribological studies were investigated under extremely different types of wear loading. The abrasive wear studies were conducted by using pin on disc machine under various experimental conditions such as sliding distance, load, abrasive grit size. Sliding wear and friction properties were also determined when sliding under reciprocating conditions at different loads and temperatures. It was observed that incorporation of glass fiber resulted in an increase in wear rates under different types of loading. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse the worn surfaces.