Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE, cilt.65, ss.3965-3974, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of the study was to develop wear-resistant epoxy composites in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner using recycled waste automobile tire powders as a reinforcing element. Rubber particle-reinforced epoxy composites with different weight fractions of 10%, 20%, and 30% and average particle sizes of approximately 130, 250, and 420 mu m were produced using the open mold method. Wear tests were conducted using a ball-on-disc test apparatus under dry sliding conditions. Coefficient of friction (COF) data were obtained depending on the sliding distance. Rubber particles were determined to enhance the wear performance of epoxy. The composite reinforced with 20 wt. % rubber particles sized 250-500 mu m had the highest wear resistance, and its wear rate was 57.14% lower than that of neat epoxy. The optimization of rubber particle weight fraction loading was decisive, with the highest resistance achieved at 20%. The rubber particle size was another factor affecting the wear performance, and the highest wear resistance was achieved with a particle size of 250-500 mu m. No correlation was found between the average COF and wear resistance of rubber/epoxy composites; however, the COF curve of neat epoxy fluctuated more and was irregular in comparison to rubber/epoxy composites. The morphology and topography of the worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy and profilometry, respectively, to discuss the wear mechanisms. The developed rubber/epoxy composites have potential for use as epoxy coatings to protect machine components against wear.