Friction and wear studies of polyimide composites filled with short carbon fibers and graphite and micro SiO2

Polyimide (PI) composites filled with short carbon fibers (SCFs), micro SiO₂, and graphite (Gr) particles were prepared by means of hot press molding technique. The friction and wear properties of the resulting composites sliding against GCr15 steel were investigated on a model ring-on-block test rig. Experimental results revealed that single incorporation of graphite and SCF significantly improve the tribological properties of the PI composites, but micro SiO₂ was harmful to the improvement of the friction and wear behavior of the PI composite. It is found that a combinative addition of Gr, SCF and micro SiO₂ was the most effective in improving the friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities of the PI composites. Research results also show that the filled PI composites exhibited better tribological properties under higher PV-product.