Preparation of Phenolic Resin/Organized Expanded Vermiculite Nanocomposite and Its Application in Brake Pad

Phenolic resin (PF)/organized expanded vermiculite (OEVMT) nanocomposite was prepared via melt intercalation with EVMT organically treated using benzyldimethyloctadecylammonium. The results of the PF/OEVMT structure characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the PF/OEVMT nanocomposite formed exfoliated and intercalated mixed structure. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal decomposition temperature of the PF/OEVMT nanocomposite (482.6 degrees C) was higher than that of pristine PF (433.9 degrees C) in air atmosphere. The brake pad based on PF/OEVMT nanocomposite were also prepared. The friction and wear tests illustrated that the brake pad based on PF/OEVMT had more stable friction coefficient and lower wear rate than that of the brake pad based on PF. Scanning electron microscopy also showed that the brake pad based on PF/OEVMT nanocomposite has excellent high temperature wear-resistance. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 275-281, 2011