Tribological properties and thermomechanical analysis of unsaturated polyester fabric composite in oscillating line-contact sliding

The friction and wear properties of a composite containing unsaturated polyester resin with polyester fiber fabric reinforcement and internal lit PE lubricants are described under reciprocating dry sliding in a cylinder-on-plate contact against steel. By taking into account the deformation, creep, thermal expansion and strain recovery, on-line measurements for diameter reduction by wear are in agreement with postmortem weight loss measurements. However, it is most important to consider the effects of the maximum polymer surface temperatures. The sliding properties are controlled by mechanical shear and plasticization of the PTFE lubricants under mild sliding conditions with a transition into instable sliding at 75 degrees C correlating with curing of the matrix, and stable sliding at temperatures of 120 degrees C corresponding to thermally-controlled sliding of PTFE. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.