In the present investigation, the mechanical and tribological characteristics as well as the dry sliding wear behavior of epoxy-based particulate reinforced polymeric matrix composites (PMCs) was extensively studied. Epoxy (EP) matrix was reinforced with low volume fractions (2 and 4% vol.-%) of Graphite (Gr), Silicon Carbid (SiC) and Alumina (Al2O3) particulates having average sizes of 70 and 100 µm. The hardness, compression strength and microstructural characteristics of such composites were evaluated. Moreover, the dry sliding wear behavior against a 316 stainless steel disc was studied. The effect of the volume fraction and size of the reinforcements as well as the applied load, sliding velocity and time on the coefficient of friction (COF,µ) and the wear rate (WR) of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the addition of small volume fractions of Gr, SiC and Al2O3 can significantly improves the mechanical characteristics and wear resistance of the epoxy. The composites showed lower wear rates when compared with the unreinforced epoxy matrix. The EP/Gr composites exhibited the lowest coefficient of frictions when compared with the EP/SiC and EP/Al2O3 composites.
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