The synergistic effect of graphene nanoplatelets–montmorillonite hybrid system on tribological behavior of epoxy-based nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites have gained significant attention in wear application due to possessing distinctive wear resistance absent in polymers. In this study, the graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay were used to fabricate the hybrid epoxy-based nanocomposites. The synergistic effect of nanomaterials on and wear behavior of nanocomposites was studied at three different temperatures by using pin-on-disk tests. The most significant wear resistance was obtained at 0.5 wt% MMT-0.15 wt% GNPs nanocomposites at the temperatures below the Tg (25 °C and 60 °C) and at 0.3 wt% GNPs at the temperature above the Tg (95 °C) in comparison to the neat epoxy. It was determined that MMT with high hardness and GNPs with self-lubricant properties and increasing the Tg, improve the wear properties.