Effect of glass powder content on the mechanical and wet tribological properties of carbon fabric/phenolic composites

In order to improve the interfacial adhesion of carbon fabric/phenolic composites, the glass powders modified by silane coupling agents were introduced by repeated filtration method. Subsequently, the effects of glass powder content (0–3 wt%) on their mechanical and wet tribological properties were investigated based on the characteristics of surface micrographs, three-dimensional surface profiles, skeletal densities, and porosities. Results show that the incorporation of glass powders not only promotes the interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix but further increases shear and flexural properties. Meanwhile, the introduction of glass powders enhances friction coefficients and improves wear resistance, whereas worsens friction stability. Notably, the carbon fabric composites containing 2 wt% glass powders exhibit the greatest shear strength, flexural modulus and strength, friction coefficient but the smallest wear rate. Optical morphology analysis demonstrates that the abrasion of counterpart stainless slider becomes gradually severe with the increase of glass powder content.