Wear behavior of Al(OH)₃-GF/epoxy composites in low velocity

Effects of fiber content, size, and weave form, and addition of particles on wear behaviors of epoxy composites are studied widely, while little investigation is paid on thermal effect in friction. In this study, effects of Al(OH)₃ powder on wear behavior of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites are investigated. The experimental results show that within 6 wt%, the addition of Al(OH)₃ powder could decrease the friction surface temperature, friction coefficient, and wear mass loss of the composites. The decrease is attributed to the heat absorption when Al(OH)₃ powder decomposes. However, when the content of Al(OH)₃ powder increases to 9 wt%, the temperature, the friction coefficient, and the wear mass loss increase to nearly equal to those of pure epoxy resin-based composites. It is considered resulting from the decrease in mechanical property, which could lead to more serious fatigue wear. In a word, within a proper content, the addition of Al(OH)₃ powder in epoxy could increase the resistance to wear and friction.