PEEK reinforced with low-loading 2D graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets: High wear resistance under harsh lubrication conditions. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Ligang; Li, Guitao; Guo, Yuexia; Qi, Huimin; Che, Qinglun; Zhang, Ga
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 109(2018)
• Page Start: 507
• Page End: 516
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: 2D g-C3N4 nanosheets -- PEEK -- Boundary lubrication -- Tribofilms -- Wear resistance; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: 2D graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) nanosheets (CNNS) with a mean thickness of 2 nm were successfully synthesized and compounded into poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK). Adding low-loading CNNS into PEEK decreased the crystallinity of the matrix, whereas the hardness was enhanced. Moreover, the addition of CNNS increased the wettability of synthetic oil in contact with PEEK materials, e.g. the contact angles decreased from 13.8° to 5.5° when 2.0 vol% CNNS was added into PEEK. Our work demonstrated that the nanosheets improved dramatically the wear resistance of PEEK subjected to boundary and mixed lubrication conditions. In particular, wear reduction of PEEK achieved by addition of 0.5 vol% CNNS was comparable to that obtained by filling with 20-fold volume fractions of carbon fibers or microsized g-C3 N4 particles. Comprehensive interface analyses indicated that a robust tribofilm containing significant fraction of CNNS nanosheets was generated, enhancing boundary lubricity by mitigating direct rubbing of the tribo-pair.