Dry sliding performance of thermoplastics against reinforced unsaturated polyester (BMC): In use in electrical contact breakers components

This work presents an experimental investigation of the wear and friction behaviours of reinforced thermoplastics in use in electrical contact breakers components. Sliding experiments were carried out on a pin-on-disc machine and under dry sliding conditions. The contact configurations used are polyamide 46 (PA46 + 30%GFR), polyamide 66 (PA66 + 30%GFR), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyphylenesulfide (PPS + 30%GFR) and aliphatic polyketone (APK) polymers pins against 15% long glass fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester (BMC) disc. The influences of applied load on the sliding wear behaviour of polymers were studied to decide the most suitable engineering polymer for contact breakers component in the electrical industry. The results showed that the coefficient of friction of the above polymers decreases linearly with the increase in load values. Furthermore, their specific wear rates increases with the increase in applied load values. The specific wear rate for APK, POM and PA66 + 30%GFR are in the order of 10−8, 10−8 and 10−7 mm3/N mm, respectively. The specific wear rates for PA46 + 30%GFR and PPS + 30%GFR are in the order of 10−6 mm3/N mm. Finally it is concluded that APK polymer is the most suitable engineering polymer for use in electrical contact breakers components.