Influences of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane on the tribological behaviors of basalt fiber/acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber composites under dry friction and water‐lubricated conditions

Abstract

The weak interaction between the basalt fiber (BF) and acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) weakens the BFs' effects on improving the tribological performances of the NBR composites. To solve this problem, (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) was introduced via mixing into the matrix or grafting on the BF surface, respectively. The characteristics, mechanical, and tribological properties of the composites were evaluated, and the effects of the APTES and its introduction methods on the tribological properties were the main focus. The APTES mixed in the rubber matrix decreased the friction coefficient (COF) of the NBR‐based composites under both dry friction and water‐lubricated conditions. Especially, the APTES hydrolysis under water‐lubricated condition was conducive to the formation of the water film and thus dramatically decreased the COF. The COF of the BF0‐A3 and the BF12‐A3 were 51% and 30% lower than that of the BF0‐A0 and the BF12‐A0 under water lubrication, respectively. The APTES grafted on the BF surface increased the wear resistance of the BF/NBR composites attributed to the improvement of the interaction between the BFs and the NBR matrix. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48558.