Comparative tribological performance and erosion resistance of epoxy resin composite coatings reinforced with aramid fiber and carbon fiber

In this work, chitosan modified aramid fiber (MAF) and carbon fiber (MCF) were prepared by simple self-assembly of chitosan on the fibers. The interface adhesion strength between fiber and epoxy resin was greatly improved, due to the active groups on the surface of chitosan. Compared with pristine composites, MAF/EP and MCF/EP showed impressive improvements of 15.61% and 18.06% in interfacial stress strength (IFSS), respectively. The effects of MAF and MCF on the tribological performance and erosion resistance of composite coatings were comprehensively studied. Compared with MAF/EP, the tensile strength of MCF/EP composite coating increased 11.09%. The test results showed that the MCF reinforced epoxy composite coating performed better anti-wear ability than that of MAF, which was due to the load-capacity and strength of MCF/EP was higher. Compared with MAF/EP, the wear rate of MCF/EP composite coating was reduced by 66.35%. Furthermore, the load-capacity and interface stress strength of MCF was higher than that of MAF, lead the erosion properties of MCF/EP was much better than MAF/EP. Compared with MAF/EP resin, the erosion volume of MCF/EP composite coating was reduced by 50.38%, showing outstanding erosion resistance, which was attributed to the resistance of high-strength carbon fiber to SiC particles. • Fibers were modified through chitosan via simple self-assembly and introduced into epoxy coating as reinforced additive. • Tribological performance and erosion resistance of fibers/EP were tested by simulating the condition of splash zone. • The process of erosion and the erosion wear resistance mechanism of carbon fiber were discussed in detail.