Mechanical and tribological properties of polyamide-based composites modified by thermoplastic polyurethane

The structural and tribological behaviors sliding under different conditions of the novel polyamide (PA)-based composites blended by thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were investigated in this article. With a compatible structure shown by the fractured morphology and crystalline structure results, the toughness of the PA6-TPU composites was improved apparently. The friction coefficient of PA6-TPU composites would stabilize quickly at relatively low value, while their wear rate increased. Under a higher applied load condition, the friction coefficient and wear rate of the PA6-TPU composites increased apparently, attributing to lots of complex reasons. However, high sliding speed would be useful in the formation of thin and stable TPU transfer film, such that both the friction coefficient and wear rate of the PA6-TPU composites decreased at higher sliding speed. Morphology of worn surface of PA6-TPU composites revealed that the primary wear mechanism was adhesive wear and fatigue wear under the dry sliding condition. It is expected to provide some practical guidance for the application of polymer materials in the tribological field.