Tribological properties of PI-SiC nanocomposite prepared by hot dynamic compaction

Wear resistance of polyimide/SiC (PI-SiC) nanocomposite prepared by hot dynamic compaction was investigated in this article. Mechanically milled micro-sized PI with different amounts of SiC nanoparticles (SiCnp), 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 vol%, were used to fabricate the samples. Dynamic compaction was conducted at the strain rates of about 10(3)s(-1). The microstructural and mechanical behaviors of the samples, such as microhardness and stress-strain curves, were also investigated. The results showed improvement in the microhardness and compressive strength of the material. The results also revealed reduction in wear resistance as SiC reinforcing particles increased. The microstructural study of the worn surfaces indicated that the abrasive and delamination were the dominant wear mechanisms.