Tribological Properties of Nanoclay Reinforced Polyamide-6/Polypropylene Blend

Abstract

In this study, the tribological performance of polyamide-6 (PA-6), polypropylene (PP), polyamide-6/polypropylene (PA-6/PP) polymer blend, and nanoclay reinforced polyamide-6/polypropylene composite are investigated. Nanoclay reinforced polymer composite is produced by melt compounding using co-rotating twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Tribological studies are carried out using a pin-on-stainless steel disc configuration under dry sliding conditions. Tribological tests are carried out at sliding speed of 0.5 ms(-1) and applied load values of 25, 50,100, 150 N. The friction coefficient and specific wear rate values are obtained and evaluated. The results show that the addition of nanoclay into the PA-6/PP polymer blend reduced their coefficient of friction and specific wear rate values. The lowest coefficient of friction and specific wear rate values are for nanoclay reinforced PA-6/PP blend. The highest coefficient of friction and specific wear rate values are for PA-6 polymer.