Tribological Properties of Carbon Fiber Composites Sliding against N80 Steel under Dry and Lubricated Conditions

The friction and wear behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites sliding against N80 steel under dry and lubricated conditions were investigated on an MG-200 test rig in a block-on-ring configuration, using the commonly used D-grade steel as a reference. The worn surface morphologies of the composites and the counterpart steel rings were observed on a scanning electron microscope. It was found that the carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites had much better wear resistance and slightly increased friction-reducing abilities than the commonly used D-grade steel. The reinforced epoxy resin composites were characterized by resin matrix peeling off and breakage of the reinforcing carbon fibers as they slid the N80 steel under dry friction, while the counterpart steel was characterized by abrasion. Though the oil-well liquid as the lubricant led to corrosion of the counterpart steel, itgreatly restrained the resin matrix peeling off and hence considerably decreased the wear rate of the composites and the counterpart steel as well. Therefore, the carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites could find promising application in the preparation of oil-sucker rod.