Effects of Different Types of Crosslinking of Epoxidized Natural Rubber in Semi-Metallic Friction Materials on Friction Performance

摘要

Semi-metallic friction composites (SMFC) consist of epoxidised natural rubber with 50 mol % epoxidation (ENR50), alumina nanoparticle, steel wool, graphite and benzoxazine were prepared by melt mixing using Haake internal mixer at 90°C and 60 rpm rotor speed. The composites were vulcanized using different crosslinking systems, namely, sulfur and electron beam (EB) crosslinking. The samples were subjected for friction test in order to determine friction and wear properties of SMFC. The friction-wear properties of the SMFC crosslinked by electron beam irradiation and sulfur vulcanization system were compared. The friction coefficient in normal and hot condition of irradiated SMFC were higher than those of sulphur vulcanized samples at all applied doses. On the other hand the specific wear rates of irradiated samples were lower than the sulfur vulcanized samples at all applied doses. The sample crosslinked by EB irradiation at 150 kGy dose found to exhibit the best tribological property, as evident from the higher friction coefficient (about 0.461) and lower wear achieved at 150 kGy irradiation as compared to sulphur vulcanization of the SMFC.