Tribological properties determination of carbon fiber tows

The tribological behavior of carbon fiber tow in relation to various material components is a critical factor in composites manufacturing and the processing of high-performance tows, as it directly influences the final quality of composite materials and their processability. This behavior was examined using specialized equipment developed for this study. The variables under investigation included the types of ceramic and stainless steel material, as well as the analysis speed, while other factors such as initial load, length analyzed, number of repetitions, temperature, and humidity were kept constant. The study revealed that the surface roughness of the analyzed ceramic and stainless steel material, linear density of the tow, and test speed alter the contact surface and pressure, thereby impacting the coefficient of friction (COF). Additionally, the surface finish of the ceramics and the sizing of the carbon tow play a crucial role in minimizing the COF, as demonstrated in the experimental findings. It was concluded that the working tension should always be kept at the lowest level necessary for processing to effectively reduce the COF without causing damage to the filaments or compromising the performance of the carbon fiber tow and composite materials.