Tribological study of three-dimensionally braided carbon fiber–nylon 6 composites against 316L stainless steel

A new type of material for orthopaedic devices, a three-dimensional braided carbon fiber-reinforced nylon 6 (C3D/MCN) composite, was prepared by anionic polymerization. It was characterized by using a block-on-ring wear tester equipped with real-time friction measurement capabilities. Scanning electron microscope and an optical microscope were used to study the wear surfaces of the composites and metallic ring counterpart. The effects of carbon-fiber volume fraction, braiding angle, and friction condition on the tribological properties and wear mechanism of C3D/MCN composites were observed. Experiments showed an optimum wear resistance when the carbon-fiber volume fraction was 35%. A lower wear rate was observed at higher braiding angle, as well as under Hank’s-solution-lubricated conditions. The wear mechanism under dry sliding conditions is adhesive wear and abrasive wear. The C3D/MCN composites exhibited mainly abrasive wear under Hank’s-solution-lubricated conditions.