Abrasive wear of transparent polymer coatings: Considered in terms of morphology and surface modification of nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles having different morphology and surface modification were used to prepare transparent polymeric coating samples. The dispersion level of nanoparticles, filler–matrix interface and abrasive wear tests were studied. Compared with the neat coating, all the nanocoatings exhibited significantly improved abrasive wear resistance at various testing conditions. By analyzing worn surfaces and profiles of the samples, such improvement was ascribed to the enhanced load-bearing ability and crack resistance of the nanocoatings. The morphology and surface modification of nanoparticles affected the wear resistance also. The pyrogenic nanoparticle-filled coatings were superior to colloidal ones in wear resistance, probably due to the fact that the aggregates had floc-like morphology, which may offer higher load-carrying ability, interlocking with matrix. When comparing the nanoparticles having the similar morphology, the filler–matrix interface will play a key role in wear resistance; the stronger interface corresponded to higher wear resistance.