Role of filler morphology on friction and dry sliding wear behavior of epoxy alumina nanocomposites

Epoxy alumina composite was fabricated by instant cross-linking process containing 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt.% of alumina reinforcement. Ultrasonication process is used to disperse alumina nanoparticles in epoxy. To study effect of particle morphology two types of alumina nanoparticle's were used, one was of rod shape whose diameter varies from 5-10 nm and length not more than 50 nm. Whereas other type of particle used was spherical in shape with diameter varying from 27-43 nm. Reinforcement of alumina nano particles enhances the micro hardness of epoxy composite. There is no significant effect of reinforcement on water absorption behavior of epoxy composite. Friction and dry sliding wear behavior was experimentally evaluated by pin on disc setup. Infusion of alumina nanoparticles improves friction and wear behavior of epoxy composite. Reduction of 34% in friction coefficient (CoF) was recorded at 1.5 wt.% of spherical alumina particles. Wear rate also decreases with by 74% at 1.0 wt.% inclusion of spherical nano particles. Calculated energy dissipation was in good correlation with wear rate, thus a good method to predict the wear characteristics of epoxy composite. Stable development of tribo-film and surface smoothening are the major phenomena in improvement of tribological behavior of epoxy composite.

Automated summary

The addition of alumina nanoparticles can improve the friction and wear properties of epoxy composite materials, especially the spherical alumina particles have a more significant effect. The reinforcement of alumina nano particles significantly enhances the micro hardness of the epoxy composite, but has no significant effect on its water absorption behavior.