Introduction

Polymer Composites extensively used in aerospace, automobile, defence

industries as alternative to metallic components. The polymer composites have
high weight to strength ratio, and are wear and friction resistant material. Many
kinds of polymer especially polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfid
(PPS), and polyetherimide (PEI), polyamide (PA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),
epoxy are used as matrix material. There are number of application found in
literature wear and friction are critical consideration e.g. bearings, gears,
clutches, brake pad etc. Polymer composites with different fillers have frequently
been used for these applications where wear and friction are critical issues, and
especially as better alternative for sliding metallic components. With advent of
nanotechnology the filler material are now being used in nano phase in
composites. The nano fillers have more strong influence on the wear and friction
behaviour of polymeric material as compared micro or higher size range of
particles. Number of material such as TiO2, Al2O3, SiC, Carbon, SiO2 etc.,in nano
range used as filler for composites and are being analyzed for friction behaviour.
The effect of size and volume or weight content of these fillers on tribological
properties with variable loading, temperature conditions has been analyzed. With
number of polymer and fillers available materials can design to suit particular
application. In most of the applications the design requirement is to develop
polymeric composites that possess low friction and low wear properties under
dry sliding conditions against smooth metallic counterparts.

Review of tribology of nano Tio2 filled composite

Z. Zhang et al. [1] have investigated the effect of various fillers, e.g. short
carbon fibre (CF), graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and nano-TiO2 on
epoxy. Examination of various samples of composite was carried out on a blockon-ring apparatus under dry sliding condition against

100Cr6 ring (German

Standard) with an initial surface roughness of Ra=0.1 m. Among the various

samples examined the lowest wear resistance was found with composition of
epoxy+15 vol% graphite+5 vol% nano-TiO2+15 vol% short-CF. This has been
further investigated by L. Chang et al. [2].to find the correlation among Wear
rate, frictional coefficient and contact temperature. The wear and friction tests
were performed on pin on disc apparatus having initial surface roughness of

Ra=0.23 m of the counterpart, under variable contact pressures and sliding

velocities. it was found that the composition of epoxy+5 vol% graphite+5 vol%
nano-TiO2+15 vol% short-CF
contact temperature

reached

the lowest frictional coefficient, lowest

and highest wear resistance under 1MPa and 1 m/s.

However, a composition with Each 5 vol.% of nano-TiO2, graphite and PTFE,

together with 15 vol.% of SCF, showed the highest wear resistance at an extreme
high pv factor. It has been experimentally proved that the reduction of frictional
coefficient is due addition of nano TiO2, as a result of that contact temperature
reduces and wear resistance increases especially at extreme Wear conditions,
i.e. high contact pressures and sliding velocities. It was further postulated that
the reduction in these tribological parameter was due two factors. (1) A positive
rolling effect of the nano particles between the matrix and short carbon fiber [1,
3, 4, 5]. (2) Change in chemical and physical (thickness of transfer film) nature of
transfer film due to presence of PTFE/Graphite [5, 6]. Chang, L., et al. [4,7] had
again done the same experiment but this time with polyamide 66(PA66) and. The
same interpretation came into the light, and the reason for decrease in
tribological parameter was due the same two factors described above. due to
addition of tio2 highest wear resistance found in experiments shown in table
1.the variation of frictional coefficient and wear rate are shown in figure 1.In an
investigation of PEI and PEEK at both room and elevated temperature filled short
carbon fibre (SCF) ,graphite flakes, and nano TiO2,wheares the PEEK was
additionally filled ZnS L. Chang et al.[7,8]

experimentally found significant

reduction in the frictional coefficient and wear rate of the composites especially
at elevated temperatures. For room temperature the same results were obtained
for PEI like epoxy. Whereas the PEEK composite showed no significant change in
tribological parameter. The lowest wear rates are shown in table 1 for the both
composites. Some of notable observations are made from this compilation of
data. First, the optimum concentrations of nanometre sized filler particles is 4
5%

by

volume,

with

combination

-15

vol%

of

both

graphite

and

SCF,respectively. This is observed repeatedly. And the nano tio2 act as third body
and protects the worn surface of the composites from more severe wear
mechanisms.
In Further investigation on effect TiO2 on various composites, Y. Shi et al.[9]
compared tribological behaviour of PI/PTFE composite, filled with variable vol% of
micrometer and nanometre TiO2.results of examination of composite samples on
ring on ring tribometer, revealed that the addition of micrometer TiO2 increases

both wear rate and frictional coefficient, while the filling 1 and 1.5vol% of
nanometre TiO2 decreases frictional coefficient and wear rate respectively.
Further addition of nanometre TiO2 results in increase in both frictional
coefficient and wear rate. Decrease in tribological properties was due to the fact
that TiO2 act as load bearing element thus results in decreased plastic
deformation. The agglomeration of nanometre TiO2 after certain proportion could
be the reason for increase in tribological properties. The figure number 3 and 4
shows the change in frictional coefficient and wear rate respectively with
addition of micro and nano meter TiO2.

Fig.1. Wear test results of various polymer composites subjected to different sliding
conditions (a)specific wear rate and(b)friction coefficient.(adapted from Ref 5)

Table 1
Wear results, for standard and highest tested combination of pv, last four results for PEI
composite at 700C,and 1500C for PEEK composite and PEEK has been additionally filled
with ZnS(4 vol%).
Compositi
on
Symbol

Matrix

Nan
o
TiO2
(vol
%)
5

Graphi
te
(vol%)

PTFE
(vol
%)

SCF
(vol
%)

pv factor

Contact
Temperatu
re
(0C)

Frictional
Coefficie
nt

Specific
Wear rate
(10-6
mm3/Nm)

Reference

5/15/0/15

75(epox
y)
65(epox
y)

15

15

__

__

0.32

[1]

15

1MPa,1m/
s
1MPa,1m/
s

26.06

0.33

0.45

[2]

15

60.65

0.14

0.95

[2]

15

26.6

0.5

0.44

[4]

15

64.69

0.22

3.26

[4]

5/5/0/15

70(epox
y)
75(PA66
)
75(PA66
)
75(PEI)

15

25.87

0.36

0.30

[7]

5/5/0/15

75(PEI)

15

43.75

0.14

0.68

[7]

5/5/0/15

75(PEI)

15

43.61

0.09

1.28

[7]

5/5/0/15

75(PEI)

15

__

75(PEI)

15

4/7/0/10

75(PEE
K)
75(PEE
K)

10

10

1.747.4
9%
1.081.4
6%
5.383.1
8
3.51.51
%

[8]

5/5/0/15

0.090.5
5%
0.080.7
8%
0.151.3
4
0.125.8
4

5/5/0/15

5/5/5/15
5/5/0/15
5/5/0/15

4/7/0/10

12MPa,1
m/s
1MPa,1m/
s
8MPa,1m/
s
1MPa,1m/
s
4MPa,1m/
s
12MPa,1
m/s
1MPa,1m/
s
4MPa,1m/
s
1MPa.1m/
s
4MPa,1m/
s

__
__
__

[8]
[8]
[8]

L. Jian and C. Chilan[10] investigated the wear and friction characteristics of

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nano composites filled with different wt% of
TiO2 .it was found that 12 wt.% was optimum concentration for positive change
in the tribological properties of PVDF. while the further addition of tiO2 results in
detrimental effect on tribological behaviour. The reason for this behaviour has
been observed to be same as in case of previous work with PI/PTFE composite.
Lu, S. R. et al.[11] filled epoxy with TiO2-SiO2 nano particle. Results obtained
from dry sliding wear tests showed that the wear resistance of the epoxy/TiO2SiO2 was greatly improved up to addition of 2.65wt% of SiO2-TiO2.Reason for
this behaviour is good dispersion of TiO2-SiO2 particles in epoxy matrix up to
2.65%.further more addition resulted in agglomeration of nano particles.

Fig.3. Effect of filler volume fraction on the friction coefficient of PTFE/PI filled with
micrometer and nanometre TiO2 particles. Sliding velocity 1.4 m/s, load 150 N, duration
60 min. (Adapted from Ref 9)

Fig. 4. Effect of filler volume fraction on the wear rate of PI composites filled with
micrometer and nanometre TiO2 particles. Sliding velocity 1.4 m/s, load 150 N, duration
60 min.(adapted from Ref 9)

Wetzel, Bernd, et al.[12] compared tribological behaviour of epoxy filled with

micro SiC and nano TiO2.the wear test performed on block on ring showed that
the lowest wear rate is obtained with nano TiO2 of 7.5 vol%.it was observed from
SEM

images

of

worn

surfaces

that

volume

content

that

favours

the

agglomeration tendency lead to the best results.

S. Bahadur, and C. Sunkara[13] compared the tribological effect of nano sized
fillers i.e. TiO2, ZnO, CuO and SiC

on polyphenylene sulfide

(PPS ).results

showed that The CuO and TiO2 most effective wear resistance filler for PPS
among four. And the optimum concentration was 2vol% of CuO and TiO2;among
these two CuO is more effective than TiO2.
F.-H. Su et al.[14] Investigated tribological behaviour of hybrid glass/PTFE fabric
filled with nano-TiO2. Results obtained from pin-on-disc configuration at various
conditions showed that the addition of proper content nano-TiO2 significantly
improves the wear resistance and load-carrying capacity of the hybrid glass/PTFE
fabric composites; moreover enhance the friction-reducing abilities of the
composites

under

high

load.

Sliding

conditions,

such

as

environmental

temperature and sliding lubricating condition, significantly affect the friction and
wear performance of the pure and nano-TiO2 filled hybrid glass/PTFE fabric
composites. The improved tribological performance of 4% nano-TiO2 filled hybrid

glass/PTFE fabric composites can be attributed to the improved structural

integrity of the composites, the character of transfer film and the special antiwear action of nano-TiO2 during friction process.
From previous work [9-12] it can be observed that the agglomeration and
interfacial interaction of nano particle had the detrimental effect on wear and
friction behaviour. H.-J. Song, and

Z.-Z. Zhang[15] had modified tio2 nano

particle in order to enhance interfacial adhesion. Investigation of The friction and

wear properties of the phenolic coatings filled with different surface treated
nano-TiO2 on block on ring tester under dry sliding, compared with the cases of
untreated nano-TiO2.it was found from results that chemically treated

nano-

TiO2 provided much better tribological performance than untreated tio2

,especially at extreme wear conditions, i.e. high loading condition.
H.-J. Song et al. [16] have compared wear and frictional reducing ability of
hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) modified tio2 and unmodified tio2 , filled
polyurethane-based composite coating. Same conclusion was postulated as in
previous work of H.-J. Song, and Z.-Z. Zhang[15] that the Compared to the TiO2
nano tubes
filled PU composite coating, the HDI modified TiO2 nano tubes (TiNTsHDI) filled
one had better friction coefficient and wear reducing ability

under various

applied loads and sliding speed. The comparison of wear and friction behaviour
of treated and untreated nano tio2 polyurethane coating under variable loading
conditions can be seen in figure 5.

Fig. 5. Effect of applied load on the friction coefficient and the wear life of the PU coating
filled with 1.0 wt.% of TiNTs or 1.0 wt.% of TiNTsHDI under 2.56 m/s.(adapted from Ref
16)

Review of nano Al2O3 filled composite

Y. Wang et al. [17] had performed the investigation of the tribological and
electrochemical corrosion properties of nano Al2O3/polymer composite coatings,
on micro-hardness test, single-pass scratch test, abrasive wear test, and
electrochemical test on potentiodynamic polarization measurement device.
Results obtained from tests showed that Wear rate of polymer coating decreases
with increase in Al2O3 nano particles in polymer matrix. A minimum wear rate is
obtained with addition of 20wt% Al2O3 nano particles shown In figure number
6.It has been observed that the scratch and abrasive resistance improved due
addition of Al2O3 nano particles. From the electrochemical test, it is found that
the Al2O3 does not affect the corrosion resistance of the polymer coating. Thus
the polymer composite exhibits equivalent corrosion resistance as polymer
coating.
G. Pan et al. [18] had investigated the effect of diameter and content of Al2O3
and Sio2 particles on the tribological behaviour under fretting wear Mode. The
morphology of wear scar and distribution of chemical element on friction
counterpart had been investigated using SEM and EDS. It has been found that
the filling of Al2O3 powder improves the fretting wear resistance of PEEK
composite. However, the wear of composites increases monotonically with
increasing Al2O3 content. It has found from wear test performed on ball on disk
that the abrasive wear and adhesive wear are dominant during fretting.

Fig.6. Wear rates of Al2O3 nano composite coatings. (Adapted from Ref 17)

Qiao, Hong-Bin, et al.[19]

had examined friction and wear characteristics of

polyetheretherketone (PEEK) based composites filled with 5 mass% nano meter

or micron Al2O3 with or without 10 mass% polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) on block
on ring apparatus under the dry sliding condition. A constant sliding velocity of
0.42ms-1 and a load of 196 N were used in all experiments. The wear testing
results showed that nanometre and micron Al2O3 reduced the wear Coefficient
of PEEK composites but no reduction in friction coefficient. The addition of 10
mass% PTFE into pure PEEK resulted in a decrease in both the friction coefficient
and the wear coefficient of the composite. However, when 10 mass% PTFE was
added into Al2O3/ PEEK composites, the friction coefficient was found to be
decreased and the wear coefficient was increased. The scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) results revealed that the improvement in the wear resistant
behaviours is due to the formation of layer on transfer on to the steel
counterpart. The change in wear and friction coefficient can be seen from figure
7 and 8.

Fig.7. Effect of particle size of Al2O3 on the wear coefficient of the filled PEEK (load 196N,
sliding velocity 0.42 m/s, test duration 120 min).( adapted from Ref 19)

Fig.8. Effect of particle size of Al2O3 on the friction coefficient of the filled PEEK (load
196N, sliding velocity 0.42m/s, test duration 120 min). (Adapted from Ref 19)

F.-H. Su et al. [20] examined change in wear and friction coefficient the carbon
fabric composites filled with different

percentage

of nano-Al2O3 and nano-

Si3N4,under variable sliding distance ,loading conditions and temperatures. The

friction and wear behaviours test of the carbon fabric composites were
performed on a pin-on-disk tribometer. The morphologies of the worn surfaces
were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy. Results obtained from
pin on disk revealed that the addition of nano-Al2O3 and nano-Si3N4 as the
fillers significantly improves the friction and wear resistance of the carbon fabric
composites can be seen from figure 9. The improvement in friction and wear
resistance of the carbon fabric composites is due to the interfacial adhesion of
the nano-particulate as the filler. The friction and wear coefficient found to be
decrease up to applied load of 274.4N, further increase in applied load results in
adverse effect on friction and wear resistance. The friction coefficient of
composite decreases with increase in temperature up to 170 degree C and than
increases, while temperature has negative effect on wear rate.

Fig.9. Comparison of friction coefficients and wear rates of pure and nano-Al2O3 or nanoSi3N4 filled carbon fabric composites at 274.4 N and room temperature.(a) Friction
coefficient vs. content of nano-particles and

(b) wear rate vs. content of nano-particles.

( adapted from Ref 20)

W.G. Sawyer et al. [21] Have prepared PTFE/Alumina composite with alumina
particle of 40nm varies between from 0 to 20 wt.%. The constituent powders first
were blended using a jet milling apparatus and then compression moulded. The
wear and friction tests showed that the friction coefficient of the composite
increased. At filler concentrations of 20 wt.%, the wear resistance improved
greatly. The wear resistance of composite increase with increasing filler
concentration.
H. Cai et al.[22] have filled Polyimide (PI) nano composites with different
proportions of nano particle Al2O3.Results revealed that the PI/al2o3 nano
composites with some optimum proportions of nano Al2O3 showed lower friction
coefficient and wear loss as compared to PI under the same testing conditions.

The nano composite containing 3.0wt.%4.0wt.% nano Al2O3 had lowest wear
loss under

high loading conditions. The differences in the friction and wear

behaviours of PI and PIAl2O3 nano composites were due to the differences in

their worn surface morphologies, transfer film characteristics, and wear debris
features.
Ji, Qiu Long, et al. [23] have filled epoxy with nano-sized Al2O3 particles grafted
with polystyrene or polyarcrylamide.The tribological performance investigated by
sliding wear tests of the composites. The experimental results indicated that the
addition of nano particles, increases the impact strength and decrease wear rate
and frictional coefficient of the composites. The graft polymerization enhances
the friction and wear resistance epoxy due to the increased filler/matrix
interfacial adhesion.it can be observed from figure 10 , at the nano alumina
content of 0.48 vol%, the wear rate of Al2O3-g-PS/Epoxy is much smaller than
that of unfilled epoxy.

Fig.10. Filler content dependence of specific wear rate, of epoxy and its
composites filled with untreated and treated nano-alumina particles. (Adapted
from Ref 23)
G. Shi et al. [24] had investigated the sliding wear performance of epoxy
composites filled with nano-sized Al2O3 particles. Interfacial adhesion between
the fillers and the matrix polymer, the nano particles were enhanced by either
using silane coupling agent or by graft polymerization. The results showed that
the graft polymerized composite shows better wear and frictional behaviour than
unfilled or silane treated epoxy,same result observed by Ji, Qiu Long, et al. [23]

D.L. Burris

and

W.G. Sawyer [25] had investigated effect of Irregular shaped

nano particles on tribological behaviour of PTFE/alumina composite. The

tribological properties of 1, 2, 5 and 10 wt.% of

alumina filled samples has

evaluated. The wear resistance was found to improve tremendously in

comparison with unfilled PTFE with the addition of 1 wt.% nano particles. The 5
wt.% sample had the lowest steady state wear rate and the lowest steady
friction coefficient.
D. Jiao et al.[26] had prepared The Al2O3/SiO2 composite nano particles with a
hydrothermal method and modified with silane coupling agent. Surface
treatment with silane coupling agent changes, the surface properties of
Al2O3/SiO2 composite nano particles from hydrophilic to lipophilic. The oil
lubricating performance was evaluated using thrust-ring tester and four-ball
tester. The results indicated that the use of nano particles as additives improved
the oil lubricating performance in comparison with pure Al2O3 or SiO2 particles.
The optimal concentration of additive, was 0.5 wt.% for the tested Al2O3/SiO2
composite nano particles. It can be concluded from results that the absorption
nano particles may result in rolling effect between rubbing surfaces. Which might
have led to change in the friction condition from sliding to rolling. Therefore, the
friction coefficient was reduced. T.Luo et al.[27] had observed the same
phenomenon, in analysis with Al2O3/TiO2 nano composites modified with KH560.
Review of nano SiO2 filled composites
Q. Wang et al.[28] have filled PEEK with different weight percentage of
nanometre SiO2.results of investigation of friction and wear test performed on
block on ring test revealed that minimum wear rate obtained with addition of 7.5
wt% of nanometre SiO2 and lowest coefficient of friction obtained with 15wt% of
nanometre SiO2 under variable loading conditions. The SEM images of worn
surfaces of various composite samples showed that the 7.5wt% SiO2 filled
composite surface is smoother than other samples. Closer observation of worn
surfaces of steel counterpart showed that the thick layer of transfer formation on
counterpart surface. The variation of frictional coefficient and wear rate with wt%
of nanometre SiO2 can be seen from figure 11 and 12 respectively under
variable loading conditions.

Fig.11. The friction coefficient under various loads as a function of Si02 content in the
filled-PEEK
(Sliding velocity: 0.445 m/s)

Fig.12. the wear rate under various loads as a function of the SiO2 content filled in-PEEK

G. Zhang et al.[29] have found the fillings of nanometre of various volume

percentage of nanometre SiO2 improve wear resistance significantly and highest
wear resistance found with 1vol% of nanometre SiO2. To find effect of 1vol% of
nanometre SiO2 on PEEK hybrid composite G. Zhang et al.[30],again filled PEEK
with short carbon fiber (SCF), PTFE, graphite (micro-sized) and 1 vol.% nano-SiO2

particles. The tribological tests performed on block on ring apparatus under

variable pressure and sliding velocities showed that the synergic effect of nano
SiO2 more pronounced at extreme pressure and velocity. It has been concluded
that the positive rolling effect is responsible for reduction of frictional coefficient
and wear rate under extreme wear conditions.
F.-H. Su et al.[31] investigated the tribological behaviour of nomex filled with
particulates of polyfluo150 wax (PFW) and nano particles of SiO2. The friction
and wear behaviours of the composites tested on a pin-on-disk configuration.
The results showed that the addition of PFW and nano-SiO2 significantly
improved the wear resistance and decreased the friction coefficient; moreover
the PFW as filler is better than nano-SiO2.
Q.B. Guo et al.[32] investigated wear performance of epoxy based composites
filled with hybrid nano-SiO2 particles and short pitch based carbon fiber. To
improve the intermolecular adhesion between the matrix and the filler the SiO2
nano particles were grafted with styrene and maleic anhydride significant
reduction in wear rate and coefficient of friction was observed. The composite
with 4 wt.% nano-SiO2 and 6 wt.% carbon fiber

showed the highest wear

resistance.
Song,Hao-Jie,Zhao-Zhu Zhang, and Xue-Hu Men .[33] investigated the tribological
behaviour of polyurethane coating filled with nano-SiO2 using a pin on disk
apparatus under different lubricating condition. The results showed the wear life
of the SiO2 filled PU coating under water lubrication is the lowest and under
liquid paraffin lubrication is the highest.
Review of nano SiC filled composites
Q.-H. Wang et al.[34] investigated the friction and wear properties of
polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filled with different proportion nanometre SiC. From
results it was found that optimum proportion of nanometre Sic is less than 10wt
%. Xue, Q. J., & Wang, Q. H. et al.[35] found the same results, that optimum
amount for highest wear resistant is less than 10wt%.
Q.-H. Wang et al. [36] again investigated

The tribological behavior of

polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filled with different proportion of

nanometer SiC

and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).It was found from result that the filling of

nanometre SiC together with PTFE reduces the wear resistant capacity of SiC
and PTFE.
H.-J. Song, Z.-Z. Zhang [37] have investigated the friction and wear behaviour of
polyfluo wax (PFW)/polyurethane (PU) composite coating filled with nano-SiC or
nano-ZrO2.results revealed that the filling of 5wt%of SiC gives the minimum
coefficient of friction.
Q.L. Ji et al. [38] compared the tribological properties epoxy filled with
unmodified SiC nano particle and

PAAM (polyacrylamide) grafted nanometre

SiC. Results obtained from pin on disk apparatus revealed that the grafted
nanometre SiC gives better wear resistance than unmodified nanometre Sic. This
synergic effect is due to enhancement of interfacial adhesion between epoxy
matrix and nano particle of Sic.

D.A. Banerjee et al.[39]

Investigated Tribological properties of silica nano

particle-reinforced, hydrophobic solgel composite coatings. Results obtained

from abrasive wear test showed that the 2%wt of silica filled composite had
lowest wear rate.

Review of nano zro2 ,zno and cuo filled composites

Q. Wang et al. [40] filled

PEEK

with different size and

weight proportion of

nanometre Zr02.results obtained from friction and wear tests performed

on

block on ring apparatus showed that wear rate and frictional coefficient both
decreases with deceases size of nano particle. It can be seen from figure 13, that
10nm particle size has maximum wear resistance. The wear rate and frictional
coefficient both are lowest when composite filled with less than 8wt% of
nanometre ZrO2.The SEM analysis showed the formation of a strong, tenacious
transfer film on counterpart. The variation of friction coefficient and wear rate
with different weight percentage of nanometre ZrO2 is shown in figure 14.

Fig.13.Variation of frictional coefficient with different nano particle size.(Adapted from Ref
40).

Fig.14.variation of frictional coefficient with weight percentage of nanometre ZrO2.

(Adapted from Ref 40).

R.V. Kurahatti et al.[41] investigated wear and friction behaviour of bismleimide

filled with different weight percentage of nanometre zirconia. Both the wear rate
and frictional coefficient were found to be lowest at 5wt% of nanometre zirconia.
J. wang et al. [42]

Performed pin on disk test on

polyoxymethylene (POM)

matrix composites filled with different contents of nano-ZrO2.results obtained

from examination of samples showed enhancement in wear rate ,however little
or no change in frictional coefficient has been observed.
F. Li et al.[43] studied the effect of ZnO on friction and wear behaviour of
PTFE/ZnO composite. Results obtained from examination of composite samples

revealed that the Zno reduces the friction and wear rate significantly. The
optimum amount of ZnO found to be 15vol%.
M.H. Cho, S. Bahadur [44]

filled

polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)

with different

proportion of nano size CuO-filled ,carbon fiber and Kevlar fiber. The wear and
friction test performed on pin on disk apparatus for different composite samples
under dry sliding condition. It was found from results that the combination of
PPS + 15%Kevlar + 2%CuO had minimum wear rate.
Review of MoS2 filled composites
J. Wang et al. [45] had filled Nylon 1010 with micro MoS2 and short carbon fiber
as the reinforcement. The friction and wear properties of composite materials
was investigated on a ring-block wear tribometer . The results indicated the
reduction in friction and wear of pure nylon due to addition of carbon fiber,but
MoS2 filler increased its wear rate. More Significant reduction in Wear and friction
were observed when the carbon fiber was used as reinforcement along with
MoS2 filler.
X. Li et al. [46] had investigated the wear and friction behaviour of
epoxy/MoS2/graphite composite on a ringblock wear tester under air-lubricated
condition. The results showed that the graphite in epoxy composite can reduce
both the friction coefficient and wear of the epoxy composite significantly.MoS2
in epoxy composite is translated to MoO3 during the wear tests, which restrained
the epoxy transfer from the surface of composite to the surface of steel
counterpart. Consequently, increases the wear rate. H.-J. Zhang et al.[48] has
also found that filling of MoS2 has adverse effect on wear resistance.
V. Pettarin et al. [47] had prepared the high molecular weight high density
Polyethylene composite samples filled with micro MoS2.the tribological tests
performed on sliding wear tester and abrasive wear test

showed that lowest

wear rate was registered to be around 10 wt.% content of MoS2 . It was also
found that the solid lubricant increases wear resistance under both sliding and
abrasive wear conditions.
Yamada, Y., T. Kurobe, and Y. Toyooka.[49] had performed XPS study of transfer
films of MoS2 filled nylon-46 composites sliding against steel counter face. From

results it has been concluded that the oxidation of MoS2 filler increases with
increasing filler size, especially when sliding against a smooth steel counter face.
The MoS2 filler content on the surface of the transfer film is much lower than
that of the surface of the bulk composite.
Review of nano carbon filled composites

Chen, W. X., et al. [50] had prepared Carbon nano tube/polytetrafluoroethylene

(CNT/PTFE) composites with different volume fractions. Evaluation of the
tribological properties of CNT/PTFE composites on ring on block tester under dry
conditions showed the addition of CNT significantly reduces both wear and
friction. The lowest wear rate obtained with 20 vol.% CNT, which was only 1/290
that of PTFE alone.The positive synergic change in the tribological properties of
CNT/PTFE composites is due to release of CNTs from the composite during sliding
and form a transfer layer, which prevents direct contact between mating
surfaces.
Zoo, Yeong-Seok, et al. [51] had investigated CNT/UHMPE composite containing
different wt% of CNTS. The tests were performed
tester

to

evaluate

the

tribological

on Ball-on-disc-type wear

performance

of

UHMWPE

/CNTS

composites.The result showed that the addition of carbon multi walled nano tube
fabricated by thermal CVD results in significant decrease in the wear loss up to
0.5wt% and slight increase in friction coefficient. morphology of surface is
observed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM),shows that, Elevation of
frictional coefficient and the reduction of wear loss were not due to structural
changes but mainly due to increasing the shear strength of the softer UHMWPE.
Xue, Yang, et al.[52] had examined wear and creep behaviour of ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE)
filled with multi-wall carbon nano tubes varied between 0.2 and 2 wt% .also The
wear resistance behaviour of boiling nitric acid of a treated CNTs was studied.
The results showed that the filling of multi-wall carbon nano tubes either had no
effect or negative effect on creep resistance and wear of UHMWPE.
Lee, J. Y et al.[53] studied the effect of addition of nano diamond produced by
detonation method on Tribological behaviour of PTFE composite film.The
tribological tests of nano diamond-reinforced PTFE coatings performed on a ball-

on-plate reciprocating wear tribometer at room temperature and 150 0C,showed

that The wear resistance of PTFE composite coating was increased with
increasing content of nano diamond up to 2 wt.% but decreased slightly with
further addition of nano diamond at tested temperature ranges. Lee, J. Y et al.
[54] had investigated the structural effect of the carbon nano particles on the
wear and friction behaviour of PTFE composite film. heat treatment of nano
diamond used to get the carbon nano particle in the temperature range of 1000
19000C.Investigation of wear and friction behaviour were performed on ball on
plate tribometer.It has been found that the filling of 2 wt% of carbon nano
particles enhanced wear resistance of PTFE film. The wear coefficient of PTFE
film was decreased significantly by the addition of carbon-based nano particles
heat-treated at 10000C.The wear resistance of PTFE nano composite film was
increased by the addition of nano diamonds heat-treated at 1000 0C, but further
increament in heat treatment temperature results in reduction of wear
resistance.

Zhang, L et al. [55] had examined the wear characteristics of carbon nano tube
filled epoxy composite. Wear tests of the CNTepoxy composites were carried out
on a pin-on-disc machine. The results showed that the surface coverage
area(Rc/m) has significant effect on wear rate of composite. It has been observed
that the high Rc/m, increased wear and friction resistance. The reduction in wear
and friction is due the CNTs exposed to the sliding interface.

Cai,

et

al.

[56]

had

investigated

friction

and

wear

behaviour

of

Polyimide/carbon nano tube (PI/CNT) filled various proportions of carbon nano

tubes. The tribological characteristics of the nano composites were investigated
on an M-2000 friction and wear tester. The results showed that CNT could
effectively enhance the friction-reduction and wear resistance of the nano
composite.
Conclusion
Number of paper dealing with change in tribological properties of polymer
composites filled with different fillers, especially in nano range has been studied.
Conclusion can be drawn from study.
TiO2 and Al2O3 are mostly widely used fillers, and both have synergic effect on
tribological properties of different polymer composite. The nano particles of
fillers such as TiO2, Al2O3, carbon, SiC, SiO2, ZrO2 always increases the wear
and friction of behaviour of composite up to certain content of nano particle.
Further inclusion of nano particle either had no effect or detrimental effect on
tribological properties of composites. The morphological analysis shows the
formation of thin transfer on counterpart which avoids direct contact of mating
surfaces thereby reducing both friction and wear in case of TiO2 and Al2O3 nano
particle filled composites. In certain cases composites were graft polymerized.
The grafting always had positive effect on tribological properties. It has been
observed that if MoS2 used with graphite as a filler had positive effect on
tribological properties otherwise inclusion of MoS2 resulted in detrimental effect
on tribological properties. It has also been observed that most of work has been
done with PEEK,PTFE and Epoxy polymer. The PEEK ,PTFE and Epoxy shows good
a interfacial adhesion with certain fillers. The interfacial adhesion can also
improved by chemical treatment or graft polymerization. the effect size of nano
particle, sliding distance of track in case of wear test, loading condition,
temperature also been used as variable to analyze the change in tribological
properties of composites. In most of literature the combination certain
combination of fillers are being used for example graphite and PTFE mostly used
as secondary fillers in some of cases.
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