Wear resistance of organic nanocomposites

The wear resistance of epoxy-based nanocomposites reinforced with octadecylamine-modified clay was studied. Two testing methods, including the ball-on-disc abrasion test and the nanoscratch test, were used to measure the macro- and micro-wear behaviors. The ball-on-disc abrasion test suggests that the short- and long-term wear behaviors of neat epoxy and 5wt% nanoclay composites were similar, although the wear resistance as measured by the volume of material removed was greater for the clay nanocomposite than for the neat epoxy. The incorporation of nanoclay into the epoxy showed little effect on the coefficient of friction.