Antiwear Performance Evaluation o f Halloysite Nanotube ( HNT ) Filled Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites containing various types of reinforcements and fillers are oftenly used in applications such as sliding elements in the machine and automotive parts, gear assemblies etc., in which tribological performance parameters viz. friction and wear are the major issues. In this work, the specific wear rate of HNT filler loading (0-4wt %) in Glass-Epoxy nanocomposites fabricated by vacuum bagging technique are evaluated experimentally. For this purpose, the specimens are prepared and tests are conducted as per the ASTM G-99 standard for a number of trials with the assistance of a pin-on-disc machine by varying load and speed values, keeping time and track diameter constant. The results obtained from experiments reveals that reduction in specific wear rate and the amount of material loss is quite significant for HNT loaded specimens when compared with neat sample even at higher operating conditions. This indicates that HNT comprises of hard ceramic elements viz. SiO2 and Al2O3 which eventually enhances the antiwear behaviour of prepared nanocomposites. Finally, a study on wear mechanisms and morphologies are carried out by analyzing the worn surfaces through SEM micrographs.