Processing and tribological behaviour of carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites

Thermoplastic composites are acquiring more importance in various tribological applications due to their self-lubricity, low melting, and ease of fabrication. In this research article, processing via fused deposition modelling and dry sliding wear behaviour of neat and short carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites have been investigated. A series of wear tests using a pin-on-disc wear apparatus was carried out by varying tribo-parameters namely applied load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding velocity (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m/s), and sliding distance (1000, 2000, and 3000 m) following the response surface methodology. Analysis of variance was performed for optimizing the operating parameters with respect to minimum specific wear rate. The experimental outcomes showed decrease in specific wear rate of polylactic acid composites by 70 % in comparison to neat polylactic acid, due to reinforcement of short carbon fibers. Worn surface morphology of neat polylactic acid and carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid show fine groves in the sliding direction, thinning of fibers and net work of microcracks and few pull-out of fibres from the matrix material.