The research presented in this paper is focused on the effect of Epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) vulcanization on friction–wear properties of semimetallic friction composites (SMFC). The friction materials was formulated with the following constituents(vol%): steel wool(32%) as main fiber reinforcement, graphite(7%) as a lubricant, ENRalumina nanoparticles composites (ENRAN)(47%) as a friction modifier and benzoxazine resin(14%) as a binder. Nonvulcanized samples were produced as acontrol. The vulcanization of ENR affected the properties of the SMFC and a reduction in friction coefficient (µ), hardness as well as porosity and also an increase in volume wear rate (w). It could be concluded that in both vulcanized and nonvulcanized samples there isno direct correlation between friction coefficient and wear with hardness and porosity.  

RTC 039