Investigating the Wear Behaviors of Silane Coated Silica Filled Glass/Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

Wear behaviors of silane coated silica (SiO2) nanoparticle-filled glass fiber reinforced polymer composites were investigated depending on the type of silane coating (KH550: -Aminopropyl-triethoxy-silane and KH570: -Methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxy-silane) and nanoparticle percentages within the polymer matrix. Unlike the cases given in most research studies, the silanized silica nanoparticles were used as received. Therefore, the synergistic effects of silanization and nanoparticle reinforcement were successfully applied since the silanization process was eliminated. The matrix modification with the nanoparticles was carried out using an ultrasound homogenizer, and then the modified matrix was reinforced with glass fibers. Scanned electron microscopy revealed the disperse ability of silanized silica nanoparticles within the glass/epoxy composites. The wear behaviors of the developed composites were investigated via a ball-on-disc tribology device. Wear track profiles were obtained depending on the width and depth of the wear. The length of wear track and wear mechanisms were determined by a stereomicroscope. The findings have shown that both types of silane coating and silica nanofiller percentages significantly affected the wear rate of the composite structures.