The introduction of metal-containing fillers into polymer matrices is a promising approach to creating materials with improved mechanical and tribological characteristics. In this paper, the properties of nanocomposites based on linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and Al65Cu22Fe13 quasicrystals obtained by mechanical alloying were investigated.
Nanocomposites were obtained by mixing LLDPE with quasicrystalline powder Al65Cu22Fe13 in different concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% by weight) followed by extrusion. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, elastic modulus) were determined on a universal testing machine. Tribological tests were carried out on a tribometer using the “ball-plane” scheme at different loads and sliding speeds.
The introduction of Al65Cu22Fe13 quasicrystals into the LLDPE matrix leads to an increase in the tensile strength and elastic modulus, especially at a concentration of 3 wt.%. Tribological tests have shown a decrease in the coefficient of friction and wear of nanocomposites compared to pure LLDPE. The best results are achieved at a concentration of 5 wt.% of quasicrystals.
For the first time, metal-polymer nanocomposites based on linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and Al65Cu22Fe13 quasicrystals have been created by mixing in a molten state. Thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy were used to study the thermal stability and physical and mechanical properties of the produced nanocomposites. It was found that an increase in the concentration of nanoparticles leads to an increase in the elastic modulus, while the tensile strength also increases, especially at low filler concentrations. Friction and wear tests were carried out on a pin-and-disk tribometer. The data obtained demonstrate that the friction coefficient of the sample with a content of 1 wt.% nanofiller is lower than that of pure LLDPE, and the wear resistance of the composite increases by 57% compared to the original polymer. Moreover, under friction with a load of up to 147 N, a protective antifriction film consisting of metal nanoparticles is formed on the friction surface of the specified sample.
Al65Cu22Fe13 quasicrystals are an effective nanofiller for LLDPE, which improves the mechanical and tribological properties of the material. The results obtained open up prospects for the use of the developed nanocomposites in friction units and other areas where a combination of high strength and wear resistance is required. Further research will be aimed at optimizing the technological parameters for obtaining nanocomposites and studying their properties under various operating conditions.
Author: IE Uflyand, EG Drogan, VE Burlakova, KA Kydralieva, IN Shershneva, GI Dzhardimalieva
Institute: Department of Chemistry, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russia, Department of Chemistry, Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, 344010, Russia, Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, 125993, Russia, Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, 142432, Russia