TiB₂ reinforced hybrid-fabric composites with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties for high-temperature tribological applications

Titanium boride (TiB₂) particles with different sizes were introduced into the hybrid Nomex/PTFE fabric composites to explore the high-temperature tribological properties. The thermal, mechanical and tribological properties of the filled fabric composites were investigated. Results showed that the presence of TiB₂ improved the thermal and mechanical properties obviously. High-temperature friction and wear tests also proved that the anti-wear ability of TiB₂ filled fabric composites was enhanced sharply without sacrificing the friction coefficients. Meanwhile, the effects of fillers content and size, applied load and temperature on tribological properties and wear mechanisms were also investigated. XRD and XPS were employed to analyze the worn surfaces and demonstrate the fabrication of tribofilm composed of TiO₂ and B₂O₃, which played a vital role in the excellent tribological behaviors.