Influence of Al₂O₃ concentration in a polymer composite material on its tribological properties

The effect of the adding Al₂O₃ at various percentages to the base matrix of ED-20 epoxy-diane resin on its tribological properties is considered. An analysis of the granulometric composition and chemical structure of the aluminum oxide powder under study revealed the optimal ratio for choosing an additive to the ED-20 base matrix. Tribological tests were carried out on a friction machine according to the «roller–pad» scheme, which made it possible to accurately record the effect of load and sliding speed on the wear of the samples. Tribological studies have shown that the addition of aluminum oxide in various mass fractions (1, 3, 5 %) can significantly improve the performance of the epoxy composite, reducing the coefficient of friction. These effects are caused by the formation of tribofilms on the friction surface, which ensure the stability of the contact effect of the load. The spectral analysis revealed the formation of secondary structures as a result of the interaction of aluminum with epoxy-diane resin. The data obtained confirm the prospects of using epoxy composites in friction units of machinebuilding structures.

The novelty of the work is to establish the effect of the percentage of aluminum oxide additives in the matrix of a composite polymer material on the value of the coefficient of friction based on the results of experimental studies. With a percentage of filler of 1 and 3 %, a decrease in the coefficient of friction by ~9% was detected. The work also evaluates the effect of the load-speed regime on the tribological characteristics of the polymer composite material.

1. Nano-Al2O3 obtained the best tribological properties than similar hardness nanoparticles filled into epoxy resin / J. Cui, Y. Tian, R. Li [et. al.] // Colloid and Polymer Science. – 2025. – Vol. 303. – P. 735–745. – DOI 10.1007/s00396-025-05383-x.

2. Investigation of the mechanical and tribological behavior of epoxy-based hybrid composite / T. Albahkali, A. Fouly, I. A. Alnaser [et. al.] // Polymer Analysis and Characterization, Special Issue : Mechanical Behavior of Polymeric Materials : Recent Trends and Advancements – 2023. – Vol. 15 (19). – Article no. 3880. – DOI 10.3390/polym15193880.

3. Identification of viscoelastic properties of epoxy composites with magnesium oxide and boron carbide additives / O. A. Belyak, T. V. Suvorova, D. S. Manturov, A. M. Ananko // Mechanics of Composite Materials. – 2025. – Vol. 61. – P. 257– 268. – DOI 10.1007/s11029-025-10274-x.

4. Application of oil-filled microcapsules to improve the tribological characteristics of epoxy composites / P. G. Ivanochkin, O. A. Belyak, A. A. Bicherov, A. M. Ananko // Vestnik Rostovskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta Putej Soobshcheniya. – 2023. – No. 4 (92). – P. 8–15. – DOI 10.46973/0201-727X_2023_4_8.

5. Preparation and Tribological Properties of Modified MoS2/SiC/Epoxy Composites / C. Liu, M. Li, Q. Shen, H. Chen // Materials (Basel). – 2021, Apr 1. – Vol. 14 (7). – Article no. 1731. – DOI 10.3390/ma14071731.

6. Tribological Characterization of an Epoxy Composite Coating for Enhanced Wear Resistance in Oil Well Casing Applications / A. Bawagnih, N. Merah, F. Al-Badour [et al.] // Polymers (Basel). – 2025, Aug 11. – Vol. 17 (16). – Article no. 2192. – DOI 10.3390/polym17162192.

7. Tribological and mechanical properties of epoxy reinforced by hybrid nanoparticles / W. H. Alhazmi, Y. Jazaa, S. Mousa [et al.] // Latin American Journal of Solids and Structures. – 2021. – Vol. 18 (03). – DOI 10.1590/1679-78256384.

8. Evdokimov, Yu. A. Software support for research in tribology. Part 1 : Processing experimental data using the experimental design method / Yu. A. Evdokimov, V. V. Shapovalov, A. L. Ozyabkin. – Rostov-on-Don : RSTU, 2003. – 122 p.

9. Research of the kinetics and mechanism of formation of secondary structures of modified epoxy resin / D. S. Manturov, P. G. Ivanochkin, A. I. Azoyan, P. V. Kharlamov // Vestnik Rostovskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta Putej Soobshcheniya. – 2022. – No. 4 (88). – P. 41–51.– DOI 10.46973/0201-727X_2022_4_41.