Wear Behavior of Basalt Filled Low Density Polyethylene Composites

The friction and wear performance of pure LDPE and 10%, 30%, 50% and 70% basalt filled (by wt) LDPE composite were comparatively evaluated under dry sliding conditions. Wear tests were carried out at room temperature under 5, 10 and 20N loads and at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s sliding speeds. The coefficients of friction of the composites were significantly influenced with increase in basalt content. Friction coefficient of the LDPE was getting decreased from 0.51 to 0.13 with increase in basalt content, depending on applied loads and sliding speeds. The results show that the wear rates for pure LDPE and basalt filled composites increase with increasing loads and sliding speeds. The wear rates of the basalt filled composites were significantly affected from the basalt content. Wear rates of the LDPE was decreased from 2.596 x 10(-3) to 6.8 x 10(-5) mm(3)/m with increase in basalt content, depending on applied loads and sliding speeds.