Equations for Time-Dependent Wear and Induced Concentration Profiles in Particle-Filled Polymer Composites

Abstract

A time-dependent description of the sliding wear behavior of hard particle-filled polymer composites is developed. The description is based upon the accumulation of wear-resistant filler particles in the surface region, and development of wear-induced subsurface concentration profiles. Descriptive expressions for wear volume and induced filler volume fraction profile are functions of sliding distance as well as composite characteristics such as filler and matrix bulk volume fractions and specific wear rates. An experimental demonstration validates filler surface accumulation phenomenon as a basis for this model of time-dependent polymer composite wear. The demonstration also supports the feasibility of engineering composite materials with near-surface graded volume fraction profiles, resisting run-in wear contributions at the onset of sliding. Model predictions of steady-state volume fraction profile may guide design of such graded composite bearing surfaces.