Study on tribological properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy resin nanocomposites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy resin (MWNTs/EP) nanocomposites with different MWNTs contents have been prepared successfully. The influence of MWNTs on the friction and wear behaviors of the nanocomposites was investigated by a friction and wear tester under dry-sliding contact conditions. The relative humidity of the air was about 50 +/- 10%. Contrast to pure EP, MWNTs/EP nanocomposites showed not only higher wear resistance but also smaller friction coefficient. MWNTs could dramatically reduce the friction and improve the wear resistance behaviors of the nanocomposites. The mechanisms of the significant improvements on the tribological properties of the MWNTs/EP nanocomposites were also discussed.