Hybrid nanoparticles for improving wear resistance of fiber reinforced polymer composites

The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites increased rapidly in the last few decades in various industrial applications due to their distinct properties and characteristics. To guarantee satisfactory performance and proper machining, FRP shall maintain appropriate tribological properties, especially wear resistance which is challenging due to the complex microstructure of the FRP. This study reports experimental investigation aiming to evaluate the wear resistance of novel FRP composites produced using hybrid nanoparticles. The wear resistance of different types of fiber composites produced with nanoclay, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and/or nano alumina were evaluated. In addition, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) test was also carried out to assess the basic elastic and viscoelastic properties of FRP composites. The abrasion test results demonstrate the crucial role of hybrid nanoparticles in reducing weight loss due to wear. Particularly, composite samples with CNTs and nano alumina demonstrated the lowest weight loss among all tested samples. In addition, DMA test results highlight the impact of damping characteristics in improving wear resistance and thermal stability of composites. The chemical analysis highlights the effect of incorporating CNTs and nano alumina on the curing mechanism of epoxy, and their impact on improving wear resistance. Microstructural investigation reveals the significance of the quality of polymer impregnation on the wear resistance. The findings of this study represent an important step towards understanding the effect of nanoparticles on wear resistance of composites.