Mechanical properties and erosion wear resistance of polyurethane matrix composites

In this paper, polyurethane matrix composites reinforced with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles were fabricated to improve the wear resistance of polyurethane (PUR) elastomer working in erosion conditions, the effects of Al2O3 content (0-64 wt%) and different silane coupling agents (i.e. A-1100 and A-187) on the mechanical properties and erosion wear resistances of the composites were investigated. Both the tensile strengths and the elongations at rupture of the composites were found to decrease with the content of Al2O3 particles; however, the hardness increased gradually. The composites treated with silane coupling agent A-1100 had higher tensile properties (tensile strength and elongation at rupture) than those treated with silane coupling agent A-187. Erosion tests were carried out on a self-made jet erosion machine. According to the results, the wear resistances of the two composites first increased until reaching a maximum, then decreased, with the increasing content of Al2O3 particles. The composites treated with silane coupling agent A-1100 had higher wear resistances than those treated with silane coupling agent A-187 due to the higher reaction activity of A-1100 with the matrix than A-187. The fracture surfaces and erosion area of the composites were analyzed with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the erosion wear mechanism for the composites was discussed. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.