The mechanical properties and tribological behavior of epoxy resin composites modified by different shape nanofillers

Mechanical properties and tribological behavior of epoxy resin (EP) and EP nanocomposites containing different shape nanofillers, such as spherical silica (SiO2), layered organo-modified montmorillonite (oMMT) and oMMT-SiO2 composites, were investigated. The SiO2-oMMT composites were prepared by in situ deposition method and coupling agent modification, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis shows that spherical SiO2 is self-assembled on the surface of oMMT, which forms a novel layered-spherical nanostructure. The mechanical properties test results show that oMMT obviously improves the strength of EP and SiO2 enhances its toughness, but oMMT-SiO2 exhibits a synergistic effect on toughening and reinforcing EP simultaneously. A pin-on-disc rig was used to test friction and wear loss of pure EP and EP nanocomposites. The tribological test results prove that these nanofillers with different shapes play different roles for improving the wear resistance of EP nanocomposites. Morphologies of the worn surfaces were studied further by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, and it was clarified that the EP and EP nanocomposites undergo similar wear mechanisms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.