Tribological behaviour of fibre-reinforced thermoset polymer composites: A review

Abstract

Application of fibre-reinforced polymer composites has increased over the last two decades as compared to conventional materials. This improvement in the application of fibre-reinforced polymer composites is attributed to their unique material properties, such as high strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio, specific modulus and internal vibration damping. However, in most of the industrial applications, composite materials encounter tribological complications. Economic indicators and market dynamics suggested that the market for composite materials is booming and the dominant materials are carbon fibres, glass fibres and thermoset polymer (polyester resin) in resin segments. That is why tribological characteristics are crucial in designing carbon and glass-based fibre-reinforced polymer components. Owing to this importance, the study of tribological behaviour of fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials has expanded significantly. The present study has made an attempt to review the fundamental tribological applications and critical aspects of fibre-reinforced polymers, based on research work, which has been carried out over the past couple of decades. This work has primarily focused on the fibre-reinforced polymer composites, based on carbon and glass fibres with thermosets as the matrix material for probing into tribological behaviours. In the process, the focus has largely been on the most commonly occurring erosive and abrasive mode of wear process.