Enhancement of Tribological and Mechanical Behavior of Polyphenylene Sulfide Reinforced by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

In present work, the influences of TiO2 nanoparticles addition on the tribological and mechanical behavior of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) were investigated. The composites samples containing TiO2 nanoparticles at various percentages (0, 1, 3, and 6 wt. %) were prepared by melt mixing process using single screw extruder at 325 °C and 20 rpm. A pin-on-disc sliding test machine was used for measurement of wear volume and the friction coefficient. The counterface was made of steel carbide with roughness 0.1 μm Ra. The tests were run at a sliding speed of 0.4 m/s and 1 m/s, the contact pressure 0.65 Mpa with different sliding distances (5, 10, 15 and 20 km). Mechanical properties of PPS nanocomposites were studied to evaluate the influence of the nanoparticles addition, as well as examined the relation between the tribological and mechanical behavior. It was found that nanoparticles could further enhance the tribological properties. The lowest wear volume and friction coefficient was observed at 1 m/s was PPS+1wt. %, and for 0.4 m/s was observed in PPS+6wt. %. The results indicate that the mechanical of PPS nanocomposites have been improved, the impact strength and hardness increased with the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles. The density was also increased with TiO2 nanoparticles.