WS₂-filled hybrid PTFE/Nomex fabric composites with improved antiwear property

Exploring effective lubricant fillers to improve the tribological performance of the fabric composites would have practical applications. Herein, we developed nano- and micro-dimensional WS₂ as fillers to improve the tribological property of the hybrid PTFE/Nomex fabric/phenolic composite. Sliding wear tests showed that the WS₂-filled fabric composites displayed improved antiwear behavior under all the test conditions, compared to the unfilled one. The optimum content of WS₂ to fill the fabric composites was 2 wt% for nano-dimensional WS₂ and 4 wt% for micro-dimensional WS₂. We also investigated the unfilled, nano-dimensional WS₂-filled, and micro-dimensional WS₂-filled fabric composites under varied test conditions, and the corresponding wear mechanisms were discussed based on the characterizations.