An Analytical Interpretation of the High Temperature Linear Contact between Composite Materials Reinforced with Glass Fibers and Steel: An Advance Study

Abstract

Thermoplastic materials with glass fiber are characterized by high plasticity under high pressure and temperature, and they can be machined so that they return to their initial shape after being cast. These thermoplastic materials are biphasic, consisting of a polymer mass and reinforcement materials such as glass fibers, in order to obtain good mechanical characteristics as a result of the fact the stresses are transmitted through the glass fibers. In this paper we have tried to present the influence of the metal surface wear and of the contact temperature on the evolution of the sliding speed, of the normal load and of the friction coefficient. We have performed numerous experimental trials that have highlighted the dependency between load and wear in relation to the friction coefficient. A dry linear friction couple was used with a large range of loads and speeds, simulating real-life working conditions: temperature, sliding speed, contact pressure. We have made a connection between the theoretical case and the experimental results arising from the use of the “wear imprint method” for the volume and depth of wear.