WEAR AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ORGANOSILANE-TREATED CARBON NANOFIBER REINFORCED POLYETHYLENE

摘要

In this work, silane coatings were synthesized onto carbon nanofibers (CNFs) for reinforcement in polyethylene composites. The thickness of the silane coating was adjusted by using a basic catalyst to increase the overall reactivity of the silane groups. Characterization of each treatment was performed using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and suspension studies. Characterization results confirmed the presence of the silane coating with varying thickness that depended on the reactivity of the surface treatment. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) performed showed a substantial increase in storage modulus (40%) in the composite with CNFs (0.4 wt%) treated with the thickest silane coating (～46nm). Additionally a drastic improvement in the wear resistance was seen in the composites upon silane treatment. These results demonstrate that these silane-treated CNFs have much potential for use in both mechanical and tribological applications.