The Features of Abrasive Wear of Elastomeric Composite with Corundum Microspheres at Low Temperatures

This article presents the experimental results of wear resistance of elastomeric composites based on butadiene–nitrile rubber BNKS-18 containing hollow corundum microspheres HCM-S and HCM-L at +22°C and –34°C. It has been demonstrated that introduction of the corundum microspheres into the rubber mixture leads to a decrease in abrasion of elastomeric composite upon friction both at +22°C and at –34°C. SEM has revealed the features of wear of elastomeric composite at various temperatures of abrasive friction. In particular, it has been demonstrated that, contrary to friction at–34°C, upon friction at +22°C the abrasive wear mechanism is accompanied by friction wear. It has been revealed that upon abrasive impact at –34°C there occurs more intensive destruction of walls of corundum microspheres due to a decrease in elasticity and increase in elastomer rigidity leading to increase in closeness of contact between corundum microspheres and abrasive solid particles occur. The types of their destruction are proposed depending on the position in the elastomeric matrix. The first type, when the larger part of the microsphere is located inside the rubber and only the smaller part of the top is visible, which is exposed to destruction. The second type of destruction is observed when the position of microsphere in the rubber is shallower and it protrudes from the rubber by about 50%, thus, the microsphere is exposed to severe destruction. The destroyed cavity of such microspheres is clogged with worn rubber and abrasive. The third type of destruction is observed when the larger part of the microsphere protrudes from the rubber and a crater is formed instead of it.