Statistical Analysis of Abrasive Wear Data of Aramid Fabric-reinforced Polyethersulfone Composites

Abstract

This article deals with the abrasive wear behavior of the aramid (Kevlar 29) fabric-reinforced polyethersulfone (PES) in various orientations such as normal-parallel (N-P), normal-antiparallel (N-AP), or antiparallel-parallel (AP-P) with respect to the abrading direction and the abrading plane. The abrasive wear studies are carried out on a single pin-on-disc machine in multipass condition against the waterproof silicon carbide (SiC) abrasive papers of 80 and 120 grade under dry condition. The main goal of the study is to find out the extent of the influence of various parameters viz. the weight of the fabric, the abrasive particle size, and load on the specific wear rate of the PES. The regression equation, developed using an orthogonal experiment design method, correlates the specific wear rate of these composites with the selected parameters. It is observed that the abrasive particle size is found to be the most influencing parameter in controlling the abrasive wear behavior of the PES composites irrespective of the fabric orientation. The influence of the other two parameters viz. the weight of the fabric and the load, however, mainly depends on the fabric orientation.