Tribological properties of nylon 1010 composites filled with zinc oxide whisker in rolling friction with traction

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the tribological properties of Polyamide 1010 (PA 1010) in rolling friction with traction.

Design/methodology/approach

PA1010 composites filled with zinc oxide whiskers (ZnOw) were prepared by hot compression molding. The compressive properties of the composites were measured with an electronic material tester and the tribological behavior in rolling friction with traction of nylon composites was studied with a two‐roller contact rolling tester.

Findings

The results indicate that the compression modulus of composites increases with the rising content of ZnOw. Both the ultimate compression strength and the compression yield strength of composites increase to the maximum value when the content of ZnOw is 15 wt%. Both the traction coefficient and the slip ratio of each composite were influenced by the traction load and the normal load. In addition, the ZnOw proportion affected the slip ratio of the composites. The experimental results demonstrate that composites including 10 wt% and 15 wt% ZnOw exhibit lighter wear and lower slip ratio. The wear rate of the nylon composites is increased as the normal load increases due to the rising acting pressure against the nylon composites. The rising traction load also causes inflation in the wear rate of the composites.

Research limitations/implications

The tests in the paper were carried out according to the conditions of tramcars in mining.

Practical implications

PA 1010 composites filled with ZnOw presented the preferable mechanical and tribological properties of PA1010, which can be used in the driving wheel of tramcars in mining and other components requiring high traction coefficient.

Originality/value

The paper studied the tribological properties of PA 1010 composites including ZnOw with special dimensional structure.

Citation

Shi‐bo, W. (2012), "Tribological properties of nylon 1010 composites filled with zinc oxide whisker in rolling friction with traction", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 64 No. 3, pp. 164-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791211218696