Effect of Sand on the Friction Coefficient Displayed by Rubber Sliding Against Epoxy Flooringsfilled by Ironnanoparticles

The present work discusses the friction coefficient and electrostatic charge of epoxy composites filled by iron nanoparticles sliding against rubber to develop proper materials to beused as flooring materials ofhigh friction coefficient and low electrostatic charge. It was found that presence of sand particles on the sliding surfaces strongly affected the friction coefficient. At sliding against dry sand contaminated rubber,friction coefficient slightly increased with increasing iron content. It decreased with load. Voltage increased with increasing iron content and the applied load. Presence of sand decreased the electric static charge. Rubber wetted by water and contaminated by sand showed that friction coefficient and voltage significantly increased with increasing iron content. The voltage values were much higher than that observed at dry sliding due to the ability of water to conduct the charge all over the sliding surfaces. Sand contaminating oil lubricated rubber,slightly increased friction coefficient with increasing iron content. The displayed friction values were relatively higher in spite of the presence of oil on the sliding surface. Voltage drastically decreased with increasing iron content. At sliding against sand contaminating water/oil emulsion lubricated rubber, friction coefficient significantly increased with increasing iron content. Epoxy free of iron displayed the lowest friction coefficient. Voltage significantly increased with increasing iron content. Rubber wetted by detergent and contaminated by sandshowed consistent trend of friction coefficient with increasing ironcontent. Voltage drastically decreased with increasing iron.