Thermal aging effect of polyamide 6 matrix composites produced by Tailor Fiber Placement (TFP) under compression molding on sliding wear properties

Abstract

AbstractToday, the aim is to reduce the harm caused by vehicles to the environment in accordance with decisions made to address environmental pollution and the global climate crisis. To this end, in addition to design improvements, and technological advancements, materials that can reduce the weight of the vehicles and provide the desired mechanical properties, are being studied. Glass fiber‐polyamide composites offer a unique combination of properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications in the automotive industry. This study focused on the production of GF‐PA6 composites using compression molding and Tailor Fiber Placement (TFP) technology. The production was carried out at a constant temperature of 300°C, and 16 bar pressure, with holding times of 270–300–330 s. Short‐term thermal aging cycles were also applied to evaluate the effects of environmental exposure on the GF‐PA6 composite material. The wear behavior of the composite was then assessed through sliding wear tests, which indicated that an increase in holding time improved the wear resistance, while the aging process had a negative impact. The experimental results were analyzed statistically using response surface methodology (RSM) and showed a statistically consistent response. It was found that aging had no significant effect on the coefficient of friction (COF), but significantly impacted the wear rate. The COF of composite samples decreased approximately 35% with increasing holding time. When the sliding distance increased from 150 to 300 m, the wear rate value decreased by 24% in non‐aged samples and by 35% in aged samples.