Epoxy/Carbon Fabric Composite Containing Core-Shell Polystyrene Electrospun Fibers: Integrated Self-Lubrication for Enhanced Wear Resistance and Mechanical Performance

Abstract

This study presents a self-lubricating epoxy matrix composite designed to improve both mechanical and tribological performance. Coaxial electrospinning was used to fabricate fibers with a silicone oil core and a polystyrene shell containing 2 wt% graphite nanoparticles. These fibers were deposited onto a carbon fabric layer and infused with epoxy using vacuum infusion. From a tribological perspective, a dual-lubrication mechanism governs the system. During sliding, degradation of the fiber shell triggers the release of silicone oil into the contact interface, while graphite nanoparticles simultaneously act as solid lubricants. The synergistic interaction between liquid and solid lubrication markedly reduces friction and wear. Meanwhile, the carbon fiber reinforcement remains structurally intact, preserving the effective fiber volume and mechanical performance of the composite. Tribological tests demonstrated a 70% reduction in the friction coefficient and a 50% decrease in wear rate compared to neat epoxy, as well as a significant reduction in the friction coefficient compared to carbon fiber reinforced epoxy.