Improved tribological and noise suppression performance of graphene/nitrile butadiene rubber composites via the exfoliation effect of ionic liquid on graphene

Abstract

Minimization and suppression of friction and noise in underwater bearings remains a key aspect in modern marine vehicle industry owing to the growing need for reliability, and passenger comfort. In this study, graphene nano‐flake (Gr) was introduced into the nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) with assistance of ionic liquid (IL). Owing to the positive charge generated by the secondary ordering layer on the Gr surface, Gr were effectively exfoliate into few layers and uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. Accordingly, the friction coefficient and volume wear rate decreased to 0.3124 and 6.44 × 10−6 mm3·N−1·m−1 in the nanocomposite, depicting a 31.52% and 51.9% reduction than pure NBR. It was demonstrated that the reinforced hardness and the formation of tribological layer of Gr played a vital role in the lubricating mechanism where both deformation and the continuation of the stick–slip effect were prevented. As a proof of concept, the total vibration acceleration level of the NBR/GR‐IL composite decreased from 111.37 ± 5.57 dB to 79.68 ± 3.98 dB, exhibiting good noise and vibration suppression effect. This work not only broadens the application of GR‐based materials, but also shed some light on the designing philosophy to improve the efficiency, service life and safety of the future marine vehicles.

Graphene in rubber formulations: a comprehensive review and performance optimization insights

“…The nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) with ionic liquid exfoliated graphene exhibits an increase in hardness, tear strength, and compressive modulus by 8%, 24%, and 25%, respectively due to the absence of graphene aggregates. 80 Ball milling is also practiced for producing a methyl methacrylate/NBR/GO composite. Methyl methacrylate and NBR are premixed and then ball milled with GO using 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 mm zirconia balls (ratio of 6 : 5 : 5 : 2 : 2) respectively, and a ball powder ratio of 3.87 at 400 rpm for 300 minutes.…”

“…The vibration and noise suppression effect also improved by referring to the reduction of vibration acceleration level from 111.37 dB to 79.68 dB when 2 wt% of graphene is added. 80 Likewise, a damping system is created by reinforcing a few layers of graphene and carbonyl iron particles into the styrene butadiene forming a magnetorheological elastomer. With the addition of 2 vol% of few-layer graphene, the fracture toughness increases from 1.8 MJ m −3 to 4 MJ m −3 which is ascribed to the high surface area of graphene forming a hybrid filler–rubber network.…”

“…79 When the balls are moving rapidly in a ball miller, the collision between the balls generates shear force which results in a smaller graphene particle size. Surfactants, 31,[77][78][79] ionic liquids, 80 or other exfoliating agents 76 are essential to assist in graphene functionalization and exfoliation during the grinding process.…”

Industrial Preparation of Self-Lubricating Polyurethane via Direct Fluorination with Gaseous Fluorine

“…One common way is to incorporate self-lubricating fillers into the PU matrix. 6 Golaz investigated the effects of graphite, TiO 2 , MoS 2 , SiO 2 , and ZrO 2 particles on the tribological properties of wax-containing PU composites and revealed that the lowest friction coefficient of 0.53 was achieved at 10 wt % ZrO 2 and 15 wt % MoS 2 . 7 Yang utilized the strong load-carrying ability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and the excellent lubricant capacity of MoS 2 to greatly reduce the friction coefficient of the PU coating.…”

“…Currently, there are two main strategies to ameliorate the tribological performance of the PU material. One common way is to incorporate self-lubricating fillers into the PU matrix . Golaz investigated the effects of graphite, TiO 2 , MoS 2 , SiO 2 , and ZrO 2 particles on the tribological properties of wax-containing PU composites and revealed that the lowest friction coefficient of 0.53 was achieved at 10 wt % ZrO 2 and 15 wt % MoS 2 .…”