Effect of Water Absorption on Tribological Properties of Thermoplastics Matrix Composites Reinforced with Glass Fibres

The present work investigated the water absorption of thermoplastic matrix composites and their effect on tribological behaviour. Four thermoplastic composites were researched based on Polyamide 6 and Polyamide 66 matrix reinforced with glass fibres. The composites fabricated using the injection moulding technique were immersed in distilled water at room temperature for a water absorption test for 14 days. Dry sliding wear was conducted using a pin-on-disc trbiotester. The coefficient of friction (COF) and the wear rate (K) was determined. The sliding trace was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to reveal the sliding wear mechanism of composites. Studies have shown that polyamide PA6 based composites are less prone to absorb water than PA66 matrix. In addition, the composites richer in fibreglass exhibit lower water absorption. Tribological results indicated that polymer composites showed higher COF and K after water absorption testing. Mean COF and K were in the range of 0.071÷0.321 and 2.51∙10-6÷1.81∙10-4 mm3N-1m-1, respectively. Wear traces SEM analysis revealed that untreated samples are characterized by less intense abrasive and adhesive wear mode than the hydrated polymers. Besides, the degradation process took place primarily at the polymer matrix-fibreglass interfaces.