TRIBOLOGICAL AND THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF LOW-LOADING CARBONACEOUS FILLER-REINFORCED EPOXY NANOCOMPOSITES

Carbonaceous filler-reinforced epoxy is a high-performance nanocomposite used for different industrial applications due to its high strength, stability, conductivity, and high thermal, electrical, and tribological properties. Among various carbonaceous fillers, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are one of the most versatile and pertinent carbonaceous fillers for the enhancement of thermal and tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites. This work highlights the enhancement of wear rate, friction, and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites at low contents (0.2 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.8 wt.%, and 1.0 wt.%) of MWCNT carbonaceous nanofiller. The pin-on-disc tribometer is used to study the wear rate and coefficient of friction of nanocomposites under dry sliding conditions. From the results of the wear and friction test, it is found that at 0.8 wt.% MWCNT-reinforced composite, the wear rate and coefficient of friction are lowest compared to other compositions and pure epoxy polymer. The specific wear rate and coefficient of friction showed 33.43% and 13.47% lowest values, respectively, as compared to the pure epoxy polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to investigate the glass transition temperature enhancement of the nanocomposites with the addition of low-composition nanofillers. Results found that at 0.8 wt.% MWCNT, the glass transition temperature was maximum and achieved 9% enhancement compared to pure epoxy. The novelty of the work lies in the significant enhancement in the properties after loading of MWCNTs in epoxy polymer under low compositions. These nanocomposites provide alternate low-cost and sustainable materials for automobile applications.