Tribological, Mechanical, and Microstructural of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/Short Carbon Fiber Epoxy Composites

Abstract

In the present work, composites were developed with novel combination of particular fillers and fibers for an automotive brake system. The influence of short carbon fiber (SCF) on wear rate, coefficient of friction (CoF), modulus, compressive strength, hardness, and surface morphology of worn surface were examined. This investigation confirmed that 0.1% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reduced wear rate, CoF for all combinations of composite with carbon fiber. Results indicate that 0.1% (MWCNTs) and 10% SCF-filled composite had superior properties. This performance may be attributed to the uniform dispersion of fiber and the synergistic effect of SCF and MWCNTs, acting in concert that formed a more stable structure resulting in a high strength, stiffness, tougher, and high-heat absorption. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructure subsequently performed show change in structural development with a corresponding increase of the incorporation of SCF and MWCNTs, which eventually explained the improved properties of composite.