Abstract
The surface properties of polymer matrix composite materials reinforced with Jordanian silica sand and cement subjected to abrasive wear has been studied in this investigation. Process variables, such as velocity, load, and time and material variables, such as volume fraction of the reinforcement and particle size are studied using weight loss measurements. Wear mechanisms responsible for the observed variation in wear rate are also studied using a scanning electron microscope. It is concluded that the introduction of SiO2 hard particles significantly increases the abrasive wear resistance of polystyrene. The higher each of the process variables (load, velocity, and time), the higher the dimensionless wear rate, and the difference between the highest and the lowest wear rates decreases as the volume fraction content and the particle size increase. The higher each of the material variables (reinforcement content and particle size), the lesser the wear rate for fixed process conditions. It is also found that abrasive wear of SiO2-reinforced polymers occurs due to three wear mechanisms: microploughing, microcutting, and microcracking.