Influence of Carbon Nano Fibres on Friction and Wear Characteristics of Polymer Composites Synthesized by Fused Deposition Modelling

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a key technology for producing composite materials with customised properties for a range of industrial uses. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have sparked a lot of interest in polymers like polylactic acid (PLA) because of their potential to improve mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties. This study investigates into the effects of incorporating carbon nanofibers (CNFs) into polylactic acid (PLA) composites on wear and friction properties. Fused Deposition Modelling was used to create the composite samples, with CNF concentrations ranging from 1 to3%. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis revealed that the presence of CNFs improves interlayer bonding and surface finish by increasing neck formation and molecular diffusion. The results showed that adding CNFs significantly reduced the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate in PLA composites. The COF decreased with increasing CNF content, highlighting the friction-reducing properties of CNFs. Furthermore, the wear rate decreased with increasing CNF concentration, indicating superior wear resistance. The study found that higher loads and sliding velocities increased COF, but PLA composites with higher CNF content had lower COF values under these conditions.