Tribological Performance of Additively Manufactured Tungsten-Reinforced PLA Composites

In this study, the tribological properties of PLA (polylactic acid) composite materials reinforced with Tungsten (W) were investigated. Composite samples were produced by additive manufacturing in ⌀10×20 mm dimensions, and wear tests were performed using a pin-on-disk apparatus under loads of 5N, 10N, and 15N; and at sliding distances of 120m, 240m, and 360m. The obtained volume loss, specific wear rate, and coefficient of friction values were analyzed comparatively. As a result, tungsten reinforcement provided a more significant performance improvement, especially under low and medium loads. The volume loss in PLA was approximately 6 mm³, compared to ~4 mm³ for PLA+W under 5N load and 120m sliding distance. In other words, under a 5N load, PLA exhibited 50% greater volume loss than PLA+W. While unreinforced PLA samples appeared advantageous in terms of friction due to their low coefficient of friction values, this decrease also caused the soft surface to wear quickly. Although the coefficient of friction in PLA+W composites was higher, this stability resulted in a more controlled and predictable wear profile. Consequently, PLA+W composites can be considered a promising candidate for tribological applications.