Characterization of Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites With Sintered Bronze And Graphite Fillers

Abstract

The characterization of new materials is essential to fulfill the industrial demand these newlinedays. Extensive research work in the field of material science and metallurgy is going newlineon across the world. Development of composite material is the area of interest of the newlineresearchers and laboratories. Composite material is developed by combining two or newlinemore dissimilar materials and the resultant composite exhibits superior properties. newlineThe composite materials are popular in various engineering applications like newlineautomobiles, aircraft structures and sporting goods. Polymer Matrix Composite has newlinewidespread applications due their advantages like high wear resistance, low newlinecoefficient of friction, low density, high strength to weight ratio and low cost. newlineIn this study an attempt is made to develop polymer matrix composite material for newlinetribological application. The major requirement of material for tribological application newlineis its high wear resistance and low friction coefficient. To achieve these requirements newlinesintered bronze and solid lubricant, graphite is selected as filler material. Epoxy resin newlineis selected as matrix material because of its low shrinkage, high strength and high newlineadhesive strength properties. Epoxies can be formulated with other materials. newlineReinforcement provides the strength and stiffness to the composites. Short/chopped newlineglass fiber is used as reinforcing element because of their low cost, high strength, high newlineimpact resistance and good chemical resistance. The fillers used are sintered bronze newlineand graphite newlineThe present study focuses on processing, characterization and study of friction and newlinewears behavior of epoxy matrix composite. The experimental investigation is carried newlineout for mechanical and tribological characterization. In mechanical characterization, newlineproperties such as density, tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and newlinemodulus, hardness and impact strength are estimated. The use of fiber and fillers newlineshowed enhanced mechanical properties of the composites.