Characterization and Tribological Behavioral Studies of Polymer–Halloysite HNT Clay Nanocomposites

The effects of Halloysite Nano clay Hallow Nano Tublar (HNT) particles as fillers in glass–epoxy composite systems on the mechanical and tribological properties have been discussed in the present investigation. The composites employed in the study have been fabricated using hand lay-up technique. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strength, and hardness have been investigated in accordance with ASTM standards. This paper deals with the effect of clay addition on improving the mechanical properties of epoxy polymer and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy-clay hybrid composites. The clays used in the present system were treated with 3amino propyltriethoxysilane. The effect of variants in sliding speed, time and applied load on the wear behavior of polymer nanocomposites is studied by measuring the weight changes and observing the surface features using Scanning Electron Microscope. Sliding speed, time and loads in the range of 640–1000RPM, 300-900sec and 5–25N respectively were used in the experiments with wear test pin having flat face in contact with hardening rotating steel disc. It is observed that wear rate increases with the increasing applied load, time and sliding speeds.