Microstructure, thermal, physico-mechanical and tribological characteristics of molybdenum disulphide-filled polyamide 66/carbon black composites

With an objective to investigate the influence of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) on physico-mechanical and tribological properties of polyamide 66 (PA 66), was compounded with MoS2 in the presence of carbon black (CB). The compounded material was injection molded to make test specimens to evaluate physico-mechanical, thermal, and tribological (wear, friction, and laser etching) characteristics. It was found that tensile strength, percentage elongation at break, and tensile modulus of PA 66/CB/MoS2 composite increased linearly with increase in MoS2 content. The impact strength of the PA 66 matrix increased from 37.2 to 43.2 J/m with an increase in MoS2 content. The wear behavior of PA 66/CB/MoS2 composites have been investigated under dry sliding conditions at different normal loads, sliding distances, and sliding velocities at room temperature. It was found that the introduction of MoS2 in the presence of CB has certainly reduced the friction, wear behavior of PA 66 with improvement in laser etching resistance. MoS2 could increase the adhesion between the transfer film and the counterface surface. The ability of the synergistic fillers in helping the formation of thin, uniform, and continuous transfer film would contribute to enhance the wear resistance of PA 66 composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. (c) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers