Mechanical and tribological studies of polymer hybrid nanocomposites with nano reinforcements

Abstract

Developments of nanoparticle reinforced plastics are of growing interest towards the emergence of new materials which enhance optimal utilization of natural resources and particularly of renewable resources. The effects of nanoparticles as fillers in glass-epoxy composite systems on the mechanical and tribological properties have been discussed in this article. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strength, and hardness have been studied in accordance with ASTM standards. The composites employed in the study have been fabricated using hand lay-up technique. By varying notch radius impact strength is studied. The clay and silica used in the present system were treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The effect of variants in sliding speed, time and applied load on the wear behavior of polymer nanocomposites is studied by measuring the weight changes and observing the surface features using scanning electron microscope. In the experiments with wear test pin having flat face in contact with hardening rotating steel disc, sliding speed, time and loads in the range of 640–1000 RPM, 300–900 s and 5–25 N respectively was used. It is observed that wear rate increases with increasing applied load, time and sliding speeds.