Heterogeneous Surface Wear Models for the Prediction of the Specific Wear Rate of Woven Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Heterogeneous surface wear (HSW) models have been derived to predict the specific wear rates of woven carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite materials. The specific wear rates of unidirectional carbon fibre/epoxy composites, with fibres orientated both parallel and antiparallel to the direction of sliding, are used as input variables. The first model (EW mode) is based on an assumption of uniform thickness reduction during wear, but uneven surface pressure. The second model (EP mode) is based on an assumption of even surface pressure throughout the test. The specific wear rates of plain and 5HS woven composite panels were measured to validate the accuracy of the models. It was found that the EW model was able to accurately predict the specific wear rates of the two types of woven composites under mild abrasive conditions (120 grit sandpaper). However, under more severe abrasive conditions (36 grit sandpaper), the woven panels exhibited a new wear mechanism caused by tearing of the out-of-plane fibres at the crossover points of warp and weft fibres. This mechanism caused both models to under-predict the specific wear rates of the woven composites in severe abrasive conditions. However, the EW model can be used with confidence under less abrasive conditions, where the asperities do not have significant interactions with the out of plane fibres.