Dynamic mechanical analysis and three-body abrasive wear behavior of epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to study the dynamic mechanical analysis and three-body abrasive wear behavior of organo-modified montmorillonite-filled epoxy nanocomposites with different weight percentage of organo-modified montmorillonite. In the dynamic mechanical analysis of organo-modified montmorillonite-filled epoxy nanocomposites, the viscoelastic properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus, damping and glass transition temperature were discussed. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis showed the decrease in glass transition temperature with increase in organo-modified montmorillonite filler loading in epoxy nanocomposites. Also the storage modulus of organo-modified montmorillonite-filled epoxy nanocomposite exhibits decreasing trends than that of unfilled epoxy. Three-body abrasive wear of organo-modified montmorillonite-filled epoxy nanocomposites were studied for different filler loading. The results of the abrasive wear tests revealed that the wear volume loss of all samples was increased with increase of load and abrading distance. Further, 5 wt.% organo-modified montmorillonite-filled epoxy nanocomposite exhibited better wear abrasive resistance as compared to that of neat epoxy and other organo-modified montmorillonite-filled epoxy nanocomposites. Different wear mechanisms were observed on the worn surfaces of the composites, including pitting, micro- and/or macro-cracks, as well crack propagation of the matrix in the transverse direction.