Study on the tribological properties and PALS analysis of nanoparticle-filled epoxy resin composites

Three kinds of nanoparticles were efficiently dispersed into the epoxy resin by using coupling agents and ultrasonic wave. The friction and wear properties of the composite block in sliding against a stainless ring were evaluated on an M-2000 test rig. We discussed the effects of nanoparticles and different coupling agents on the mechanical and tribological properties of the nanocomposites, and the PLAS of samples was also analysed. Results indicated that the microhardness of nanocomposites was higher than that of the epoxy resin; silica coupling agent was superior to amine coupling agent in improving the materials' mechanical properties; nanocomposites had the same friction coefficient as the matrix, and samples treated with silica coupling agent were better than those treated with titanate coupling agent in anti-wear; the wear rate of ZnO/epoxy nanocomposite was only 10% of that of pure epoxy resin. It was also found that the τ₃ of the composites was bigger than that of the epoxy resin before and after wear, but Ι₃ had a reverse change.