Polymer Nanocomposites with Thermoplastic Matrices-Processing and Tribology

摘要

An analysis has been made of the literature on tribology of polymer nanocomposites prepared by compounding nanofillers with molten thermoplastics. A process is described for preparing nanocomposites with various polymer binders by reactive extrusion. The introduction of nanofillers (carbon nanomaterials, layered clays, metals, and metal- containing compounds) into thermoplastics influences the kinetics and mechanism of tribochemical transformations in a friction contact with metals or other materials. Nanofillers affect significantly thephysicochemical behavior of macromolecules, as well as the macromolecular transformations, under the conditions of fictional interaction. This can be explained by adsorption (chemisorption) of functional groups found on the particle surface, variations in polymer crystallinity and morphology, constrained molecular (segmental) mobility in macrochains, and catalytic (inhibiting) effects of the additives on the course of contact reactions. As a consequence, alterations occur in the formation of transfer layers and wear debris, along with the parameters of friction. Depending on the polymer and the nature and concentration of the fillers, the latter can either improve or impair the performance parameters of friction pairs.