Enhancing the Tribo-Mechanical Performance of LDPE Nanocomposites Utilizing Low Loading Fraction Al2O3/SiC Hybrid Nanostructured Oxide Fillers

Abstract

This research work highlights the tribomechanical investigations of using a low loading fraction of two ceramics combinations, Alumina (Al2O3) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) as reinforcement for Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) matrix. The hybrid additives with different weight percentages (0.1 + 0.1, 0.25 + 0.25 and 0.5 + 0.5 wt%) were mixed with LDPE matrix and the degree of homogeneity was controlled using double-screw extruder prior to fabricating the composite samples via the injection molding machine. The nanoparticles fillers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), EDX and particle size analyzer to check its morphology, composition and size distribution. Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and melting flow index (MFI) were performed for the fabricated nanocomposites samples. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposite were evaluated by performing tensile test, bending test and Shore-D hardness test, while the tribological performance was investigated using a ball on desk apparatus under different applied loads and sliding times. Moreover, in order to confirm the load-carrying capability of the composite, contact stresses was measured via finite element model using ANSYS software. The results show that the incorporation of low fraction hybrid ceramic nanoparticles can contributed positively in the tribological and mechanical properties. Based on the experimental results, the maximum improvement in the tensile strength was 5.38%, and 8.15% for hardness LDPE with 0.5 Al2O3 and 0.5 SiC, while the lowest coefficient of friction was noticed under normal load of 10 N, which was approximately 12.5% for the same composition. The novel approach of incorporating low fraction hybrid ceramic nanoparticles as reinforcement for LDPE matrix is investigated, highlighting their positive contributions to the tribological and mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites.