Validity of Amontons’ law for run-in short-cut aramid fiber reinforced elastomers: The effect of epoxy coated fibers

Friction between two contacting surfaces is studied extensively. One of the known friction theories is Amontons’ law which states that the friction force is proportional to the normal force. However, Amontons’ law has been found to be invalid for elastomers. In the present study, the validity of Amontons’ law for short-cut aramid fiber reinforced elastomers is studied. Two types of fillers are used to reinforce the elastomers, namely highly dispersible silica and short-cut aramid fibers. Short-cut aramid fibers with two different surface treatments are used, namely non-reactive fibers with standard oily finish (SF-fibers) and fibers treated with an epoxy coating (EF-fibers). A pin-on-disc tribometer is used to investigate the frictional behavior of the composites in sliding contact with a granite counter surface. The results show that, after the run-in phase, Amontons’ law is valid for those composites that are reinforced by short-cut aramid fibers (without reinforcing filler, i.e., silica) if the contact pressure is below a threshold value. However, once the contact pressure exceeds this threshold value, Amontons’ law will be invalid. The threshold contact pressure of the composites containing EF-fibers is higher than of the composites containing SF-fibers. The composites that are reinforced by silica and short-cut aramid fibers do not follow Amontons’ law.