An experimental study on the effect of graphite microparticles on the mechanical and tribological properties of epoxy matrix composites

This article comprehensively discusses the mechanical and tribological properties of epoxy matrix composites filled with 100μm graphite particulates, at loadings ranging from 0 to 1wt%. The investigation also focuses on the effects of the graphite filler on the wear surface of the specimens, utilizing an optical microscope for analysis. The results revealed a significant decrease in the tensile strength of the composite, with a reduction of more than 50% observed at 1wt% graphite loading. However, the flexural strength exhibited an initial sharp increase at 0.1wt% graphite loading, followed by a decline at higher graphite contents. Moreover, both impact and hardness values demonstrated improvement as the graphite content increased. The addition of graphite particles led to a reduction in the friction coefficient, attributed to the solid lubrication capabilities of graphite. Furthermore, the wear rate exhibited a sharp decrease with an increase in graphite content due to the formation of a lubrication layer at the contact surface, effectively reducing the break-off of the specimen.