IMPROVING THE WEAR RESISTANCE OF POLYVINYL CHLORIDE SURFACE BY USING THE FRICTION STIR PROCESSING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Friction Stir Processing is considered one of the important methods for improving the surfaces of polymeric materials by adding reinforcing particles in certain ratios to form a composite material with better surface properties than the properties of the base material. The Friction Stir Processing technique was employed in the present investigation to introduce graphite particles onto the polyvinyl chloride surface. Various volumetric ratios of 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20% were used for the incorporation of graphite particles. Mechanical tests (flexural strength, hardness, and wear resistance) were carried out. The experiments demonstrated a noteworthy enhancement in the measured characteristics, with the most notable outcomes observed when the graphite content was increased by 20%. Consequently, this investigation determined that the application of the Friction Stir Processing technique effectively reinforced the polyvinyl chloride surface through the formation of a successful surface composite.