Wear-resistant layers containing graphene derivatives

The effect of carbon filler wt% ratios on the microstructural and tribological properties of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), PE/graphene oxide (GO), and PE/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites and PE/GNP-GO hybrid composite layers was studied to determine the best tribological performance after the dry wear test. The layers had a semi-crystalline structure like PE, but the shifts in the peaks showed the presence of interactions between the fillers and PE matrix, according to x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. FTIR analysis results indicated that GO-containing layers caused interactions and new bonds. The lowest values for the friction coefficient were found in layers containing GNP and GO, which had a lubricating effect. The friction coefficient decreased by 83.24% in the PE/0.7GO composite layer compared to PE. Wear resistance of the PE/3GNP and PE/1GO layers were the highest compared to PE and other layers. The PE/3GNP and PE/1GO layers improved the wear resistance of PE by 12% and 11%, respectively. Abrasive wear and fatigue wear tracks on the worn surface of the PE/3GNP and PE/1GO composite layer were significantly reduced compared to PE and other layers. This study suggests that layers that will provide the highest molecular interaction with PE and improve its wear resistance will be produced with GO and nano-sized GNP.HighlightsThe interaction of graphene-derived fillers with PE and its effect on friction and wear properties were investigated.GNP and GO are the best filler materials among the graphene derivatives for increasing wear resistance.High wear resistant of layers achieved at 3 wt% GNP loadings.Layers containing GO had the lowest friction coefficient values among the other layers. The molecular interaction between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) and graphene derivatives.image