Influence of surface modification on tribo-performance of hybrid Glass/PTFE fabric composite with phenolic resin binder

The fabric/phenolic composites with the pure and silanized hybrid glass/PTFE fabric were prepared by dip-coating of the hybrid glass/PTFE fabrics in a phenolic resin. The friction and wear performances of the resulting fabric composites were evaluated using pin-on-disc wear tester. The composition change of the glass fabric in hybrid glass/PTFE fabric after silanization was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. The morphologies of the composite structures and the worn surfaces of the composites were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the fabric/phenolic composite with the beta-aminoethyltrimethoxylsilane silanized hybrid glass/PTFE fabric can obtain the highest load-carrying capacity and the best wear-resistance, followed by the composite with gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane silanized hybrid glass/PTFE fabric. Chemical reactions have achieved as the hybrid glass/PTFE fabric was silanized with beta-aminoethyltrimethoxyl silane or gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane, which contribute to strengthen the bonding strength between the fabric and the adhesive and hence to improve the tribological properties of the hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composites.