Friction and wear properties of fabric/phenolic composites with plasma treated-hybrid glass/PTFE fabric

The pure and plasma treated-hybrid glass/PTFE fabric was used to prepare fabric/phenolic composites by dip-coating in a phenolic resin and the relative mass content of hybrid glass/PTFE fabric in the composites is 70-75%. The friction wear performance of the composites were evaluated with a Xuanwu-III high temperature friction and wear tester in a dry sliding condition. The chemical compositions of pure and air-plasma treated-hybrid glass/PTFE fabric were analyzed by means of FTIR. The microstructure and the morphologies of the worn surfaces of the composites were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the structure of the composite made of the untreated-hybrid glass/PTFE fabric consists of the compact layer and the loose layer, whereas the structural integrity of it made of the plasma treated-hybrid glass/PTFE fabric has been strengthened significantly. The load-carrying capacity, friction-reduction and wear-resistance of the composite made of the air-plasma treated-hybrid glass/PTFE fabric are significantly improved. The generating oxygenic and nitrogenous groups are introduced on the surface of the fabric, coupled with the increase of the surface roughness, which contribute to strengthening the bonding strength between the fabric and the phenolic adhesive and hence to improving the tribological properties of the fabric/phenolic composites.