The role of synthetic fibers in the tribological behavior of polymeric materials

Nowadays, synthetic fiber plays a synergism role in polymeric materials due to its high strength, stiffness, better thermal property, high damping capacity, superior wear resistance, and improved fatigue resistance. Different polymers are embedded with different synthetic fibers to form composite materials and are used in industries, like automobile, aerospace, and aircraft industries, and engineering applications. The increasing research on tribological properties of polymers and their composites has found in wear-related applications where the prime objective is to reduce or control the wear. Hence, it is essential to study intensively the different parameters that control the wear in polymers and their composites. This chapter reviews the effects of different synthetic fibers, their volume/weight fraction, operating parameters, and geometry on the tribological properties of the polymer composites. It will provide basic information about the different types of wear and a description of the test setup. It will also give an idea of their usability for various applications in the field of tribology.