OPTIMIZATION OF TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AN EPOXY HYBRID POLYMER COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH ZrB2 AND PTFE PARTICLES USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE TRIBOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Aswathi A. Narayanan; R. S. Sudheesh

doi:10.17222/mit.2021.239

Aswathi A. Narayanan Govt. engineering college, Thrissur, Kerala
R. S. Sudheesh Department of Mechanical Engineering, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Government Engineering College, Thrissur 680009, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17222/mit.2021.239

Keywords: zirconium diboride, composite, surface, bearing, liner

Abstract

Hybrid PTFE/epoxy composites are widely used as materials for self-lubricating spherical bearing which are used in a high-temperature environment. In the present work, zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) particles are incorporated to enhance high-temperature tribological properties of PTFE/epoxy composites. Pin on disc experiment is conducted with the aid of design of experiments (DOE) using central composite-response surface methodology (RSM). Under a load of 40 N and 1.25 m/s sliding speed, the optimum content 5.95 vol% of PTFE and 5.05 vol% of ZrB₂, yields an ultralow coefﬁcient of friction (COF) in conjunction with a low wear rate of the composite. The addition of ultra-high-temperature ceramic ZrB₂ particles and solid lubricant PTFE is found to enhance the thermal conductivity and improve the heat transfer thereby reducing contact temperature. The use of optimum composition of the composite is capable of reducing the wear rate and high local temperature due to friction, implying its potential use as a self-lubricating spherical bearing liner material.

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