Characterisation of the sliding friction response of peel-ply textured surfaces

The present paper reports on effects of texture, contamination by aircraft operating fluids, and contact pressure on the sliding friction response of polymer surfaces. This study provides essential data necessary for the design of friction-based energy absorption devices. Their functionality is ought to integrate into structural elements of aircraft fuselages made from carbon fibre reinforced plastics. The paper specifically addresses epoxy resin surfaces of continuous fibre reinforced composite material currently applied in aircraft industry. Peel-ply was utilised to achieve the characteristic surface texture. A pin-on-flat type test apparatus was designed and used to determine the friction coefficient as a function of the initial surface texture, the contamination by five different aircraft operating fluids, as well as the contact pressure. The sliding friction results obtained in this study indicate a significant influence of both, the surface texture and the state of contamination.