On the wear behavior of nano-CaCO۳/E-glass fiber/epoxy composite

The aim of this study was to enhance the wear resistance of E-glass chopped strand mat (CSM)/epoxy composite via the incorporation of CaCO۳ nanoparticles in the matrix. ۳-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as an organosilane compound was utilized to functionalize the surface of CaCO۳ nanoparticles. The multiscale composites containing functionalized-CaCO۳ (f-CaCO۳) with various weight fractions (۰.۵, ۱, ۳, and ۵ wt.%) were prepared to explore the effects of f-CaCO۳ on the flexural and wear properties. The results of the wear tests showed that the f-CaCO۳/epoxy matrix could provide enhanced wear resistance and the maximum resistance was obtained via adding ۳ wt.% f-CaCO۳. Incorporation of ۳ wt.% f-CaCO۳ resulted in ۵۶% and ۴۳% reductions in wear rate and friction coefficient of the CSM/epoxy composite, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the worn surfaces clearly revealed that the nano-CaCO۳ addition resulted in improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding.