Processing and tribological behaviour of carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites

Abstract

Thermoplastic composites are acquiring more importance in various tribological applications due to their self-lubricity, low melting, and ease of fabrication. In this research article, processing via fused deposition modelling and dry sliding wear behaviour of neat and short carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites have been investigated. A series of wear tests using a pin-on-disc wear apparatus was carried out by varying tribo-parameters namely applied load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding velocity (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m/s), and sliding distance (1000, 2000, and 3000 m) following the response surface methodology. Analysis of variance was performed for optimizing the operating parameters with respect to minimum specific wear rate. The experimental outcomes showed decrease in specific wear rate of polylactic acid composites by 70 % in comparison to neat polylactic acid, due to reinforcement of short carbon fibers. Worn surface morphology of neat polylactic acid and carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid show fine groves in the sliding direction, thinning of fibers and net work of microcracks and few pull-out of fibres from the matrix material.

Fused Filament Fabricated Poly(lactic acid) Parts Reinforced with Short Carbon Fiber and Graphene Nanoparticles with Improved Tribological Properties

“…Bustillos et al [24] studied the influence of graphene on PLA and showed that PLA-graphene composites presented a significant improvement in creep and wear resistance. Suresha et al [25] have demonstrated that adding 20 wt.% short carbon fibers to PLA resulted in composites with improved wear resistance (70% decrease in specific wear rate). In a recent study on PLA-based biocomposites reinforced with SCF, GNP, and SCF + GNP [26] produced by casting, we have shown that the joint addition of these two fillers (volume ratio between the PLA and the fillers of 1:0.02) had a beneficial effect on the hardness and specific wear rate of PLA.…”

Tribological performance of functional coated fiber reinforced additively manufactured polymer composite

“…The hafnium carbide powder with particle size ranging from 400-500 Nm was utilized as an additive for purchased from Intelligent materials, Punjab, India. The substrate was manufactured using a Flash forge-adventure 3 model 3D printer, employing optimum printing parameters including a printing temperature of 210 °C, bed temperature of 50 °C, 100% infill density, and a printing angle of 45° [3,37]. The optimal parameter for extending the lifespan of PLA-CF composites has been demonstrated to be vertical print orientation [38].…”

“…A pin on disc wear testing equipment with a heating chamber was employed to investigate the impact of ceramic particle coating on the wear resistance of an FDM produced part. The coated specimen was affixed to the pin using an adhesive, and the process of testing its resistance to wear was conducted in accordance with the ASTM standard ASTM G99 [3,11,12,45]. The test apparatus comprises an EN31 alloy steel disc, a steel pin, and a mass loading apparatus.…”

“…The additively produced PLA-carbon fiber composites have been demonstrated to be a superior alternative material for femoral stem prostheses [2]. The specific wear rate of the short carbon fibers reinforced PLA was 70% higher than that of PLA [3]. Incorporating fibers into PLA and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) materials can sometimes result in negative effects on their mechanical properties [4].…”