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Polyamide 46 (PA46) is used in various automotive parts because of its excellent heat resistance and mechanical properties. This study aims to improve the frictional properties of PA46 using the lubricating ability of graphene. Nanocomposites are prepared via two mixing methods: Graphene powder is compounded directly with PA46 pellets through a twin-screw extruder, or PA46 powder is added to graphene dispersion for self-adsorption, and subsequently, it is dried and compounded with PA46 through the twin-screw extruder. Application of the nanocomposite in the friction field is evaluated via the pin-on-disk method. The coefficient of friction of the nanocomposite prepared by self-adsorption is lower than that of the nanocomposite prepared by direct compounding. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposite fabricated by self-adsorption are superior to those of other materials. This can be attributed to the uniform dispersion of graphene and the strong attractive force between the PA46 matrix and graphene.

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Moisture sorption behavior and dimension change of polymeric materials (ASA, ABS, PMMA, PC, PP, PPS) for automotive exterior lamp has been investigated. The variations of the moisture sorption have been represented following the theoretical model of the Fick's 2nd law of diffusion. In order to understand the dimensional change during the moisture sorption process, the change in length of each sample was studied. The length of polymeric materials increased as equilibrium water content increased. The moisture absorbed polymer materials provided a 33% decrement of the coefficient of thermal expansion, seemingly by swelling the polymer materials under atmosphere condition.

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