Tribological Properties of Carbon Fabric/Epoxy Composite under Oil Lubrication

Carbon fabric reinforced epoxy (CF/EP) resin matrix self-lubricating composite was fabricated by semi-dry method. Tribological properties of the composite sliding against 45 steel counterpart under the configuration of ring-on-ring end faces in oil were investigated. Effects of load,sliding velocity,carbon fabric type on tribological properties of the composite were discussed. Worn surfaces of composite and its counterpart were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results show that friction and wear property of unidirectional carbon fabric/epoxy composite improved greatly when the parts started up under the condition of light-loading and high-speed. The main wear mechanism of composite under boundary lubrication was adhesive wear. Reticular transfer films on the steel worn surface improved friction and wear property greatly. Compared with the unidirectional carbon fabric composite,plain carbon fabric/epoxy composite exhibited lower friction coefficient under heavy load. Surface morphology analysis indicates that lubricant was readily distributed on the worn surface along fabric texture.