Mechanical and tribological performance of polyamide 12 reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets and paraffin oil nanocomposites

With polymeric nanocomposites many problems due to their extensive applications such as aerospace, automobiles, coatings, and packaging materials were solved. In this study, polyamide 12/graphene nanoplatelets impregnated by paraffin oil were fabricated by a hot compression technique. Elastic modulus has been determined by compression tests using a universal testing machine. Microhardness of unfilled polyamide 12 and its nanocomposites has been measured by Vickers microhardness testing machine. Tribological properties of the unfilled polyamide 12 and its nanocomposites have been investigated by pin-on-disc tester under applied normal loads of 10N, 20N and 30N, 1.2m/s sliding speed, and 212m sliding distance. The results showed that the elastic modulus and microhardness of polyamide 12/graphene nanoplatelets (PA12/GNPs) nanocomposites are higher than that of the unfilled polyamide 12, and then gradually increased by adding paraffin oil contents. Tribological properties showed that polyamide 12/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites have lower coefficient of friction and wear rates in comparison with polyamide 12. By adding paraffin oil contents to the unfilled polyamide 12 and its nanocomposites, coefficient of friction and wear rates gradually decreased. Worn surfaces were imaged using scanning electron microscope.