The Flexural and Tribological Behavior of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide Composites

The flexural and tribological performance of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were studied as a function of carbon nanotube (CNT) proportion. The composites were prepared by compression molding and were tested for friction and wear in a pin-on-disk sliding configuration against hardened tool steel of a hardness of 55-60 HRC. The lowest specific wear rate of 15.86 x 10 (6) mm(3)/Nm was obtained for the PPS-0.2%CNT composite. The variation in coefficient of friction was practically insignificant, irrespective of CNT proportion. The transfer films formed on the counterface during sliding were examined by optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the characteristics of transfer film in terms of topography and texture of transfer film. The worn pin surfaces were also examined by AFM to Study the behavior of wear and friction of the composites. Three-point flexural tests and hardness measurements were carried out for PPS-CNT composites, where CNT concentration varied from 0.2 to 10 vol%. The highest flexural strength was observed in the PPS-0.2%CNT composite. The change in flexural strength with CNT proportion is discussed in terms of surface hardness and structural integrity of the composites examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). [doi: 10.2320/matertrans.MRA2008262]