Abrasive behavior of discontinuous fiber reinforced polypropylene material

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of reinforced fiber length over material‐plastic energy of deformation, clogging, crystallinity, and correlates with the friction and wear behavior of polypropylene (PP) composites under multi‐pass abrasive condition. Also to identify wear mechanisms of glass fiber reinforced PP materials under various abrasive grit sizes and normal loads.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi‐pass abrasive wear tests were performed for unreinforced, short, and long glass fiber reinforced PP (LFPP) on a pin on disc machine under three different normal loads and two different abrasive grit sizes for a constant sliding velocity. Measured wear volume was correlated with the plastic energy of deformation by carrying out a constant load indentation test using servo hydraulic fatigue test system. Clogging behavior of test materials was examined with the aid of online wear measurement and wear morphology. Test materials crystallinity was estimated with the aid of X‐ray diffraction investigation and correlated with abrasive wear performance.

Findings

Fiber reinforcement in a PP material is found to improve the plastic deformation energy and crystallinity which results in improved abrasive resistance of the material. Increase in reinforced fiber length is found to improve the material cohesive energy and hence the wear resistance. Reinforcement is found to alter the material clogging behavior under multi‐pass condition. Fiber reinforcement is found to reduce the material coefficient of friction, and increase in reinforced fiber length further reduces the frictional coefficient.

Research limitations/implications

Friction wear tests using pin on disc equipment is carried out in the present investigation. However, in practice, part geometry may not be always equivalent to simple pin on disc configuration.

Practical implications

The paper's investigation results could help to improve the utilization of LFPP material in many structural applications.

Originality/value

Influence of reinforced fiber length over multi‐pass abrasive wear performance of thermoplastic material, and online wear measurement to substantiate clogging behavior is unique in the present multi‐pass abrasive investigation.

Citation

Subramanian, C. and Senthilvelan, S. (2010), "Abrasive behavior of discontinuous fiber reinforced polypropylene material", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 62 No. 4, pp. 187-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791011051044