Effect of grafted polytetrafluoroethylene nanoparticles on the mechanical and tribological performances of phenol resin

Reinforced phenol resin (PF) was prepared by in situ polymerization of different fractions of nano polytetrafluoroethylene particles (nano-PTFE) undergone grafting acrylic acid irradiation. The bending strength and hardness of the material, according to mechanical property testing, were improved by the grafted nano-PTFE. The tribological properties of PF composites were investigated by a block-on-ring friction and wear tester. The results indicated that nano-PTFE reinforced PF showed lower friction coefficient and higher wear resistance, compared with pure PF. The morphologies of the worn surfaces, debris and transfer films were observed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an optical microscopy (OM). A continuous and thinner transfer film formed during the friction test led to the significant improvement on the tribological properties.