Synergistic effects of aramid fibre and resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex-coated aramid fibre on improving the wear resistance of nitrile rubber composites

• Published in: Iranian polymer journal Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 533 - 541
• Main Authors: Wan, Sheng, Li, Zhuo, Du, Zhongjin, Yin, Yuhan, Yuan, Xinna, Sun, Ruijun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-05-2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adhesive wear; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Composites; Formaldehyde; Glass; Latex; Natural Materials; Nitrile rubber; Original Research; Polymer Sciences; Roughness; Synergistic effect; Tear strength; Wear mechanisms; Wear rate; Wear resistance; Wear tests; Mechanical properties; Wear resistance; Surface analysis; Rubber; Aramid fibres; Interaction
• ISSN: 1026-1265; 1735-5265
• DOI: 10.1007/s13726-023-01142-3

To improve the wear performance of aramid fibre (AF)/nitrile rubber (NBR) composites, in this study, untreated AFs and resorcinol–formaldehyde–latex-coated AFs (RFL-AFs) were introduced into NBR matrix in various ratios to prepare a series of AF/NBR composites. The synergistic effects and the mechanism of these two types of AFs on the properties of the composites were the main topics. The tensile/tear properties were investigated by a universal testing machine, and a wear test was carried out by a high-speed block-on-ring wear testing machine. Appearance observation and roughness analysis of the worn surfaces were carried out by SEM and AFM, respectively. The RFL coating was conducive to the length retention of the fibres during their mixing process. By comparison, the untreated AF was more effective in improving the tear strength of the composites, though the adhesion between the RFL-AF and the NBR matrix was better. For the wear resistance, the optimal untreated AF/RFL-AF ratio was 1:1. The mean value of the specific wear rate was 1.2 × 10
–7
mm
3
/(N·mm); approximately 30% and 55% lower than that of the composites with RFL-AFs and untreated AFs, respectively. The synergistic effects of these two types of AFs on wear performance of the composites were based on a change in the wear mechanism. At 1:1 ratio of untreated AF and RFL-AF, both wear rate and the roughness were minimal, and the main wear mechanism, in this case, was of adhesive wear.
Graphical abstract