Evaluation of three-component boron-free glass fiber/TiO2/polyimide nanocomposite properties prepared by 3D turbula dispersion and spark plasma sintering method

Abstract

Interest has grown in recent time on the development of three-component polymer nanocomposite with enhanced properties. However, the study focuses on the effect of TiO2 nanofiller on the mechanical, tribological, dielectric, and corrosion resistance properties of boron-free glass fiber (BGF) reinforced polyimide (PI) composite produced with spark plasma sintering route. Microstructure of the samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical, tribological, dielectric, thermal, and corrosion behaviour of the samples were characterized by nanoindenter, ball-on-disc, LCR meter, TGA, and potentiodynamic polarization test, respectively. The SEM results show that the introduction of the nanoparticles into the BGF/PI composite aids in more uniform distribution of the BGF particles within the PI matrix, and thus good interfacial interaction of the glass fiber and the PI matrix structure. Comparing the BGF/PI composite sample with BGF/TiO2/PI nanocomposite, it was observed that the nanocomposite depicted better hardness, elastic modulus, low friction coefficient and wear rate, dielectric, and enhanced corrosion properties. With TiO2 additions, hardness and modulus of the PI composite was improved by 56.6% and 10.1%, respectively. In addition, PI composites filled with TiO2 depicted a 0.07 coefficient of friction and wear rate of about 67.7% in reduction than that of neat PI and 9.0% in reduction than that of the pristine BGF/PI composites. Improved interactions between the reinforcements and the host matrix are suggested as the possible mechanism resulting to the desirable properties of the three-component PI nanocomposite recorded. Finally, the developed nanocomposite is suggested to be favourable for automobile, aerospace, and microelectronic device applications.