Preparation and Tribological Properties of Modified MoS2/SiC/Epoxy Composites

Abstract

In order to improve the tribological properties of epoxy (EP), EP composites were prepared by filling different proportions of silicon carbide (SiC) particles and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) powder. SiC and MoS2 particle surfaces were modified by the silane coupling agent KH560 to improve dispersion and avoid agglomeration of the inorganic particles in the EP resin matrix. The effect of different proportions of modified MoS2 content on the tribological properties of SiC/EP composites, and the wear mechanism of the worn surface, were investigated when the filler content was fixed at 55 wt.%. The results indicate that the friction and wear properties of modified MoS2/SiC/EP composites are better than SiC/EP composites without modified MoS2. When the modified MoS2 content is 4 wt.%, the average friction coefficient and volume wear rate of the modified MoS2/SiC/EP composite are 0.447 and 14.39 × 10−5 mm3/N·m, respectively, which is reduced by 10.06% and 52.13% in comparison with that of the 55 wt.% SiC/EP composite. Furthermore, the average friction coefficient of a composite containing 4 wt.% MoS2 is 16.14% lower, and the volume wear rate is 92.84% lower than that of pure EP.