Development of Polymer Composites Containing HDPE and ABS with Varied Levels of PTFE for Tribological Applications

The concept of producing composites has come to limelight for the past two decades. Further, the researchers have reported the use of different matrices, reinforcements, and fillers in the composites to bring down the overall weight and in-turn enhance the properties. In this direction, hybrid matrices consisting of HDPE, ABS, and PTFE together with Kevlar as reinforcement and MWCNT as nanofiller, have been addressed to study the mechanical and tribological properties. The concentration of Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) has been varied at 10%, 15%, and 20 wt.% mainly to study the effect of different levels of PTFE on other matrices (HDPE and ABS) on the mechanical and tribological characteristics. The composites have been produced by melt mixing method using a Brabender machine, followed by compression molding process to get the final sample. The evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties were carried out using an extensometer, Izod impact tester, and pin-on disc machine, respectively. The results in respect of mechanical properties indicate that the indicate that the tensile strength, percentage elongation, compressive strength, flexural strength as well as impact energy have increased following increase in PTFE addition. The wear resistance of the composite is also enhanced due to the addition of PTFE to the matrices. These results have been substantiated using SEM examination in the form of surface topography features of the worn surfaces. The hybrid composites produced with the incorporation of MWCNT nanofiller and Kevlar reinforcement may find usefulness to produce liners in structural applications.