Wear resistance of epoxy-hard coal composites

Purpose: of this paper is to present results of wear resistance investigations of epoxy-hard coal composites produced by gravity casting Design/methodology/approach: In short introduction wear resistance of polymers is presented, methods used to prepare composites together with short characterization of physical properties of applied fillers are described. Wear resistance of the specimens was determined using Schopper-Schlobach method and APGi device. During the test, the rigidly fixed specimen moves with constant velocity along a rotating cylinder with abrasive paper type corundum P60 on its surface. Wear resistance of specimens was determined after 20 meters distance of abrasion under pressing load of10Nand expressed as the weight loss of the specimen after abrasion. Findings: Addition of the hard coal particles into the epoxy resin matrix caused a decrease of the wear resistance. Wear resistance decreased in a little extend with increasing filler content. Statistical analysis of achieved results showed that the influence of hard coal on wear resistance is significant comparing neat resin and filled resin but is not significant comparing composites with different solid particles content. Practical implications: Tested composite materials can be applied among others in electrical or chemical industry where electrical properties are important but wear resistance is not so important. Originality/value: New types of epoxy-hard coal graded composites were tested. It was demonstrated that by proper gravity casting technology control it is possible to produce graded composites for which hard coal particles do not deteriorate the wear resistance in significant extend.