Title: Effect of ceramic particles on the mechanical and tribological properties of short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Authors: R. Santhanakrishnan; A. Johnny Varghese; M. Kamaraj

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Satyam College of Engineering and Technology, Aralvaimozhi – 629301, Tamilnadu, India ' Centre for Composites and Advanced Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur - 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: In this investigation, an effort has been made to develop the short carbon fibre stiffened epoxy composites (CFSEC) mixed with multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNT) and silicon carbide particles (SiCp) using a compression moulding process. The content of MWCNT varied as 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, and SiCp content was maintained at 10% by weight of the composite. The impact of the ceramic particles on mechanical characteristics such as hardness, tensile, flexural, and wear behaviour of CFSEC was investigated. For all the mechanical characteristics, the rise in the proportion of MWCNT in the composite has shown a significant improvement. The specific wear rate (SWR) and coefficient of friction (COF) of the composite were studied using the pin-on-disc tester. The wear parameters yielding the lowest SWR and COF were identified from the wear testing process parameters. The fractography analysis of tensile specimens was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Keywords: epoxy; carbon fibre; multi-walled carbon nano-tubes; silicon carbide; compression moulding; tribology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2024.136663

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2024 Vol.18 No.1, pp.35 - 54

Received: 26 Apr 2023
Accepted: 07 Jul 2023
Published online: 15 Feb 2024 *

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