OBRABOTKAMETALLOV MATERIAL SCIENCE Vol. 27 No. 1 2025 Abbreviations PPS – Polyphenylene Sulphide GF – Glass Fibre COF – Coefficient of Friction SEM – Scanning Electron Microscopy FRP – Fibre-Reinforced Polymer MMT – Montmorillonite POM – Polyoxymethylene PTFE – Poly-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene EDS – Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy HRC – Rockwell C scale hardness OMMT – Organically Modified Montmorillonite SAXS – Small Angle X-ray Scattering Introduction The problem of pollution associated with particulate emissions from ceramic, semi-metallic, and metallic brake pads has stimulated research into their replacement with alternative materials based on natural fibers, such as flax, hemp, and sisal. These organic fibers offer advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and low weight. Concurrently, synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are finding widespread application in various engineering fields, including aerospace, automotive, and civil industries, due to their high specific properties (modulus of elasticity and strength), biodegradability (in specific cases), corrosion resistance, and long service life. A key role in determining the properties of FRP composites is played by the fiber-matrix interphase, through which shear stresses are transferred from the matrix to the reinforcing fiber, influencing both the short-term and long-term characteristics of the material. This paper presents a review of the structure and properties of the fiber-matrix interphase [1–3]. It is shown that the characteristics of the interphase between the reinforcing fiber and the polymer matrix have a significant impact on the mechanical and tribological properties of the composite. Using the example of GFF/PPS (glass fiber/polyphenylene sulfide) composites, it is demonstrated that an optimal composition containing 80 wt. % GFF (~70 vol. %) provides the best mechanical properties and wettability. The high mechanical performance of PPS composites with ultrahigh GFF content is attributed to the increased thickness of the interphase layer and the effect of fiber interlocking. In the context of environmental friendliness, the use of biodegradable reinforcing fibers, such as clay, can raise questions when applied to carbon fiber / clay / POM (polyoxymethylene) based composites. Experiments aimed at studying the mechanical and tribological properties of such composites have shown that adding clay contributes to an increase in tensile modulus and strength. It has been established that the adding of carbon fiber into POM composites improves their mechanical properties and wear resistance. A carbon fiber, clay, and POM-based composite demonstrated minimal specific wear rate and coefficient of friction values. Polymer composites modified with nanoclays exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, yield strength, modulus of elasticity, fracture toughness, and fatigue strength, compared to unmodified polymers. Nevertheless, data on the wear resistance and surface mechanical properties (hardness and scratch resistance) of such materials remain limited. It has been shown that optimizing the content (wt. %) of nanoclay helps to improve the interfacial interaction between the fiber, polymer matrix, and nanoclay, which opens up prospects for increasing the effectiveness of nanocomposite applications in structural applications [4–6]. To evaluate the tribological characteristics of composite materials, the wear rate and coefficient of friction were determined. Experimental studies have shown that polymer composites containing carbon fibers, graphite, and polytetrafluoroethylene in a polyphenylene sulfide matrix exhibit good wear resistance
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