Tribological Properties of Fly Ash Blended Polymer Composites

In this study, it was studied that the abrasion resistance and characteristics of polymer composites with fly ash (FA). The epoxy based polymer composites are produced with resin and FA as mineral additive. Mixtures of different ratio by replacing the FA were added to the resin from 0 to 30% by weight. Polymeric samples were cured in air conditioning and they were taken from the molds after 24 hours. Polymeric samples gain ultimate strength after 7 days. Therefore, abrasion tests were performed on 7 aged specimens. Abrasion characteristics of polymer composites were defined by pin-on-disc test for 500 m under a dry friction condition and room temperature. Three types of loading conditions were carried out as 5, 10, 15 and 30 N. The hardness and wear resistance values increased with the increase in the content of fly ash. Showing the relationship between wear rate and hardness, an equation with parameters dependent on load was provided. There was an increase in the friction coefficient with an increase in the surface roughness values. In addition, dynamic friction was as a function of the wear rate. The wear surfaces of the polymer composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the wear rate of the polymer composites and pure epoxy samples ranged from 17.82 to 172.96 mm3/Nm. Keywords: Fly ash; polymer composite; characterization; wear; friction.