Surface Characterization of Polymer Composite Using Bearing Area Curve Available to Purchase

This paper presents an analysis of several 3D parameters based on bearing area curve in order to use the information for establishing the influence of sliding regime against steel on the tribological behavior of a composite class with polyamide matrix and 1% of black carbon. There were done pin-on-disk tests for different concentrations of micro glass spheres (MGS): 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50% (wt), respectively. The polymer was tested under similar conditions in order to have a reference basis and to point out the improvement in tribological behavior when adding this reinforcement material. The surface topographies were registered with the help of PRO500 3D (stylus) Profilometer. The test parameters in dry regime were: sliding speed 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s, average pressure 1, 2 and 3 MPa, respectively. There were analyzed the influence of MGS concentration and sliding regime on wear as mass loss of the composite discs, after 10,000 m of sliding, the friction coefficient and several 3D parameters related to the bearing area curve, determined from raw profiles (surface bearing index – Sbi, core fluid retention index – Sci, valley fluid retention index, Svi, reduced summit height, Spk, core roughness depth, Sk, and reduced valley depth, Svk).