Synthetic wollastonite nanofiber for polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposite: Mechanical, thermal, tribological and flammability properties
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2022
Abstract
Synthetic wollastonite nanofibers (SWN) were incorporated into polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) to study the effect of SWN content on mechanical, morphological, thermal, tribological and flammability properties. SWN led to an increment in tensile strength (6% at 1.0 phr) and Young's modulus (13% at 3.0 phr), due to its reinforcing effect and good interactions with the PBT matrix. Thermal analysis revealed an increase in crystallinity and thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Increase in wear resistance (73%) and anti-friction performance (29%) were achieved when SWN reinforced the wear specimens and promoted the building-up of back transfer film. Increasing SWN content significantly changed the wear mechanism from adhesive to abrasive wear. SWN improved the flame retardancy by reducing the peak of heat release rate by about 17% and the production of smoke and toxic gases by 23-36%. The present study showed that PBT/SWN nanocomposites have the potential for lightweight structural components in automotive industry.
Keywords
Polybutylene terephthalate nanocomposites, Synthetic wollastonite nanofiber, Mechanical properties, Tribological properties, Flammability properties
Divisions
fac_eng
Funders
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM),Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysia through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme [FRGS/1/2018/TK05/UTM/01/2]
Publication Title
Polymer
Volume
256
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND