Self-lubricating properties of CNTs@ T321 nano-capsules filled PTFE

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nano-capsules loaded with the isobutene sulfide (T321) in the internal cavity (CNTs@T321) were proposed as the reinforcing phase of PTFE. T321 can be released from the nano-capsules during friction to make PTFE have better lubrication properties. First, the effects of filling amount on the mechanical and tribological properties of PTFE composites were studied. The existing forms of nano-capsules in PTFE composites were analyzed, and the self-lubrication mechanism during friction was revealed. The results show that the tensile strength of PTFE can be improved when the content of nano-capsules is lower, and the strength of PTFE can be decreased when the mass fraction of nano-capsules exceeds 3%. Under different speeds and loads, the filling of nano-capsules can reduce the friction coefficient and wear rate of PTFE. The anti-friction effect are improved with the increase of load, while the wear rate will be increased. During the friction process, nano-capsules can release T321 with the wear of PTFE, and T321 forms a self-lubricating layer on the wear interface, thus producing anti-friction and anti-wear effects.

Keywords

• carbon nanotube
• isobutylene sulfide
• nano-capsule
• ptfe
• self-lubricating