Optimization of Dry Sliding Wear Parameters of MWCNT Reinforced Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) Composites

Abstract

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) becomes one of the most promising polymer material for the tribological applications because of its outstanding performance such as high mechanical properties, high chemical resistance, and high wear resistance. The present work is focused on optimization of dry sliding wear parameters of MWCNT reinforced PEEK matrix composites using RSM based desirability approach. The materials used for the present investigation are unreinforced PEEK and reinforced with 0.5% and 1% MWCNT. Wear parameters such as load, sliding speed and % of MWCNT are chosen as control factors to optimize the wear loss and coefficient of friction. An experimental plan of a L9 based on Taguchi design is employed to carry out the experimental study. After conducting experiment, mathematical models have been developed to fit the output responses using Response surface methodology and drilling parameters have been optimized using Desirability based approach. This methodology deals with the development of modelling equations for each response. The relative significance of the various parameters has been found using ANOVA.