Influence of graphene oxide as filler on tribological behaviors of polyimide/graphene oxide nanocomposites under seawater lubrication

摘要

Polymer-based composites reinforced by lubricated fillers have aroused wide concern in the field of tribology. In this manuscript, the effect of graphene oxide (GO) as lubricated filler on the tribological behaviors of polyimide (PI)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites prepared by hot press molding method was investigated under seawater to provide a practical guidance for the use of the polymer-based composites in ocean environment. It was found that the incorporation of GO could greatly improve the wear resistance of pure PI under seawater lubrication, especially when the content of GO was about 0.5 wt%. This was due to the lubricated effect of GO. In addition, PI/GO nanocomposites exhibited better friction and wear properties under seawater-lubricated condition than that under dry friction condition because of excellent lubricating effect of seawater. Optical photographs of the worn surface morphology had revealed that the main wear mechanism of the PI/GO nanocomposites was slight abrasive wear.