A Study on the Tribological Properties of Self-assembled Method Treated Nano-La 2O3 Filled PTFE/PEEK Composites

Abstract

In this article, the surface of nanometer lanthanum oxide (nano-La 2O3) was modified with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS). Meanwhile, the influence of OTS on the tribological properties of nano-La 2O3/PTFE/PEEK nanocomposites was investigated. For comparing, unmodified and coupling agent KH-550 modified nano-La2O3 were also used. Results indicate that OTS can be successfully assembled on the surface of nano-La2O3, which increases the water contact angle of nano-La2O3 significantly and reduces the aggregation behavior of nano-La2O3. Thus the dispersion and compatibility of nano-La2O3 in the polymer matrix are improved. At 10 wt% nano-La2O3 filler content, the wear rate of nano-La2O3/PTFE/PEEK composites reaches the lowest value, which is 2.27 times lower than that of PTFE/PEEK composites. OTS treated nano-La2O3 filled PTFE/PEEK composites can form a uniform transfer film on the counterpart surface, while unmodified nano-La2O3 cannot. Results also show that the degree of crystallinity of OTS modified nano-La2O3 filled PEEK is 2.6 times higher than that of unmodified nano-La2O 3 filled PEEK, and it is obviously higher than that of pure PEEK.