Effect of V-Groove Surface Pattern on the Tribological Properties of Epoxy

Epoxy is a polymeric material that is widely used in various fields as an adhesive, coating, and bulk material due to its outstanding properties. Many research studies on reinforced polymers have been conducted by adding micro/nanoparticles or fibers to attain better tribological properties. However, the tribological properties of patterning on the epoxy surface are relatively obscure. In this study, friction and wear properties of flat and V-groove patterned epoxy specimens were analyzed in dry and water lubricated sliding conditions to assess the effectiveness of the surface pattern in reducing friction and wear. It was found that under low applied force conditions in which the V grooves remained almost intact, the surface pattern contributed to decreasing the friction coefficient as much as 0.12 and increasing the stability of frictional behavior in dry sliding condition. This outcome was attributed to the ability of the grooves to trap wear debris inside the cavities. However, under water lubrication with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles used as additives, the V-groove specimens were less effective in reducing friction due to the relatively small contact area. As the contact area increased, the effect of water lubrication with PTFE particles in reducing friction could be enhanced. These results are expected to serve as a fundamental basis for designing and fabricating the surface of polymeric components for tribological applications in dry and lubricated conditions.