High performance nanocomposites for tribological applications: Preparation and characterization

High performance nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating 0–12 vol.% nano-sized (39 nm) Al₂O₃ particles into PEEK matrix using compression molding. The microhardness and dynamic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites increase with increasing Al₂O₃ content. The wear resistance of the nanocomposites evaluated at a sliding speed of 1.0 m/s and nominal pressure from 0.5 MPa to 1.25 MPa under dry sliding conditions was improved more than threefold at 0.8 vol.% Al₂O₃ content. However, the wear resistance of the nanocomposites containing above 1.67 vol.% Al₂O₃ was deteriorated, despite their higher hardness and stiffness as compared to that of nanocomposites containing lower Al₂O₃ content. The surface roughness of the wear track formed over the countersurface increases with increasing Al₂O₃ content. The coefficient of friction of nanocomposites was higher than that of pure PEEK. SEM and optical microscopy have shown that wear of pure PEEK occurs by the mechanism of adhesion mainly, whereas of nanocomposites by microploughing and abrasion. Energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) shows that Fe and alloying elements of countersurface transfer to the wear debris at higher Al₂O₃ content.