Investigation on mechanical, tribological and morphological behaviours of polymer composites

Abstract

Polymer composites operate in applications where fluid and grease lubricants fail, and have superior tribological performance to traditional polymer composites. Particulate fillers or fibres or solid lubricants have been a part of notable reductions in the wear rate of the polymer matrix at very low loading, and there exists a wide scope on the development of polymer composites on the tribological behaviour. The main goal is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the tribological aspects of the prepared polymer composites and their uses. This research investigation describes the fabrication and characterization of a series of engineering thermoplastics based composites such as nylon 66, nylon 6, polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) with different solid lubricants namely, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), graphite and UHMWPE. The thesis entitled, Investigation on mechanical, tribological and morphological characteristics of Polymer composites , encompass the results of investigation on the aforementioned subject. The thesis has been divided into ten chapters. Chapter 1 covers the general introduction, literature survey, objectives and scope of the present investigation. Chapter 2 deals with materials and equipments used in this research investigation; chapter 3 covers the fabrication and characterization of nylon 66/PTFE composites; chapter 4 describes the fabrication and characterization of nylon 66/PTFE/graphite composites; chapters 5 and 6 envisages the fabrication and characterization of nylon 66/MoS2/carbon black (CB) composites and nylon 6/MoS2/CB composites respectively. The experimental investigation of nylon 66 with MoS2 and short glass fibres is reported in chapter 7. Chapter 8 highlights the fabrication and characterization of PC/CB/MoS2 composites. Sliding wear and thermal characteristics of nanoclay filled PP/UHMWPE/SGF is described in chapter 9. Summary and scope for future wok is highlighted in chapter 10.