No abstract

We study the effect of a new dielectric filler – alumina nanofibers (ANF) on the mechanical properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethelene (UHMWPE). It was shown that the combination of powder granules and alumina nanofibers in the process of solvent evaporation helps to distribute uniformly the powder particles over the surface. The effect of the process of mechanical activation on the mechanical properties of the UHMWPE/ANF nanocomposite was studied. Increasing the concentration of the ANF additive from 0.01 wt. % to 1 wt. % helps to uniformly increase the tensile strength and microhardness of the nanocomposites. It is shown that the addition of alumina nanofibers in an amount of 1 wt. % leads to a simultaneous increase in tensile strength by ∼42.5 % and microhardness by ∼71% in comparison with pure UHMWPE.

The paper deals with the production and study of nanocomposite powder paints based on alumina nanofibers. For nanodispersed fillers, the nature of the surface states on the filler particles is important. The problem of introducing nanomaterials into a polymer matrix cannot provide an effective solution without matching the surface states of the nanomaterial filler and the polymer matrix for the resulting composite materials. The consistency of the surface states of the nanomaterial filler and the polymer matrix determines the quality of transfer of the necessary properties to the resulting polymer composite. In order to increase the affinity of alumina nanofibers with a matrix of powder paint, the nanofibers were treated with 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO) in toluene. It is shown in the work that the addition of alumina nanofibers leads to a hardening of the coating, an increase in its elasticity, and an increase in corrosion resistance. Finishing of alumina nanofibers in a solution of silane in toluene leads to its functionalization, which is sufficient for the distribution of nanofibers in the polymer matrix of the paint and improvement of its operational properties.