Effect of abrasive particle size on tribological behavior of elastomers

Abstract

Effect of abrasive particle size on tribological behaviour of different elastomers was investigated experimentally in this study. The size of abrasive particle size was varied from coarse (425 µm) to fine (82 µm). Wear rate and coefficient of friction were calculated and analyzed accordingly followed by the examination of worn surfaces by a scanning electron microscope to unravel the wear mechanism. Experimental results showed that abrasive size had a significant effect on wear and friction behaviour of the elastomers. As the abrasive particle size increased, wear rate and coefficient of friction also increased at different rates and exhibited different wear mechanisms that changed from friction to fatigue and roll formation. Mechanical properties of elastomers such as hardness, tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation at break also contributed to wear and friction. The effect of elongation at break and tensile strength on wear rate is more pronounced at lower abrasive particle size, whereas hardness and tear strength play a pivotal role at the higher abrasive size.

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“…Decrease in wear rate due to increase in abrasive size is related to clogging of the wear track with wear debris and reduction in cutting efficiency of the abrasives due to transfer. Similar results were reported in 40 where the abrasive wear performance of elastomers was investigated. In the study, different abrasive size of 82, 125, 269 and 425 µm was used as the counterface at constant speed of 0.01 m, applied load of 10 N but varying speed of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 m/min.…”