Friction and wear behavior of zirconium oxide reinforced PMMA composites

The friction and wear performance of pure poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) filled PMMA composites were realized under dry sliding conditions. Wear tests were carried out at room temperature under the loads of 5 N, 10 N and 20 N at the sliding speed of 0.5 m/s, 1.0 m/s and 1.5 m/s. The coefficients of friction of the composites were significantly influenced with ZrO2 content. Results for testing materials showed that the friction coefficient and the wear rate are sensitive to the applied loads and sliding speeds. The wear rates of the PMMA composite are changing between 3.01 × 10−7 mm3/m and 5.50 × 10−6 mm3/m, depending on ZrO2 additive percentage, applied load and sliding speeds. Increase in load value caused the increase in friction coefficient and wear rate.