Evaluation of the properties of polymer composites with carbon nanotubes in the aspect of their abrasive wear

Abstract

Purpose: Carbon nanotubes are used in composite materials due to the improvement of (including tribological) properties of composites, especially thermoplastic matrix composites. This demonstrates the potential of CNTs and the validity of research on determining the impact of this type of reinforcement on the composite materials under development. Design/methodology/approach: The article presents selected results of research on polymer composites made of C.E.S. R70 resin, C.E.S. H72 hardener with the addition of a physical friction modifier (CNTs) with a percentage by volume of 18.16% and 24.42%, respectively, which also acts as a reinforcement. The produced material was subjected to hardness measurements according to the Shore method and EDS analysis. The study of abrasive wear in reciprocating movement was carried out using the Taber Linear Abraser model 5750 tribotester and a precision weight. The surface topography of the composite material after tribological tests was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Some of the mentioned tests were carried out on samples made only of resin, used as the matrix of the tested polymer composite. Findings: Carbon nanotubes used in polymer matrix composites, including bisphenol A/F epoxy resin have an influence on the tribological properties of the material. The addition of carbon nanotubes contributed to a 24% increase in the Ra parameter relative to pure resin, to a level corresponding to rough grinding of steel. Research limitations/implications: The results of the tests indicate the need to continue research in order to optimize the composition of composites in terms of operating parameters of friction nodes in broadly understood aviation. Originality/value: The analysed literature did not find any studies on the impact of the addition of carbon nanotubes on epoxy resins based on bisphenol A/F. Due to the wide scope of application of such resins, the properties of such composite materials in which carbon nanotubes are the reinforcing phase have been investigated.