Correlation of Wear Behavior of PBT/PC Blend with Crystallographic Structure: A Comprehensive Study on Wear Rate and Crystal Structure

Polymer blends, particularly those containing Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and Polycarbonate (PC), are extensively utilized in various industrial applications due to their favorable mechanical and thermal properties. Enhancing the performance of such blends necessitates an understanding of the relationship between their crystalline structure and wear behavior. This study investigates the correlation between wear characteristics and structural aspects of PBT/PC blends having varying PC content. Additionally, techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy of the worn-out surface are employed. The findings reveal a strong connection between the wear behavior of PBT/PC blends and their crystallographic structure. This study provides useful insights into the wear mechanism and crystallization behavior of PBT/PC blends. Specifically, it is observed that with increasing PC content in the blends, the wear resistance is influenced by the size of crystallites, wherein smaller crystallites demonstrate a greater ability to withstand abrasive action-induced damage. The wear performance of the PBT/PC blend with 70% PC improves by ~37% as a result of the formation of a semi-orderly chain structure with a smaller crystallite size. A mechanism is also explained herein related to the change in the nature of crystallization of PBT/PC blends with increasing PC content. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of considering crystallographic structure when assessing the wear behavior of polymer blends such as PBT/PC.