Study On Tribological Properties Of ZrB₂-Al₂O₃ Multiphase Powders Filled Epoxy Composites

Ceramic/epoxy resin composite material combines the advantages of epoxy resin and inorganic material characteristics (high strength, high hardness, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, etc.), and it has been applied in many fields,In this study, ZrB2-Al2O3 composite powders were prepared by high-energy ball-milling technique. The surface of ZrB2-Al2O3 was modified by (γ-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (KH550), (γ-glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (KH560), and (γ-methacryloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (KH570). Some characterization and analysis of the composite powders by different kinds of coupling agents were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyzer (XPS), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The epoxy composites filled by ZrB2-Al2O3-KH560 were prepared by in-situ polymerization. The wear properties of the epoxy composites were tested on dry sliding condition using MM-200 model friction and wear testing machine and the surface profile of the wear surface was studied by SEM and discussed the single or composite phase, modified or not, different content on the quality of the epoxy resin friction and wear properties.The result shows that the high-energy ball-milling technique could successfully synthesis ZrB2-Al2O3 composite powders. The three kind of silane coupling agent on modification were all successful too. Considering the condition and result, choosing KH560 for the best modifying agent.Compared by the wear testing results, the tribological properties of single phase of ZrB2 filling epoxy composites was not good as composite phase of ZrB2-Al2O3, the modified one was better than the one without modification. Changing the content of powders, the composites’wear properties changed obviously. In the preparation of 5%wt,10%wt,15%wt powder content, the friction properties of the composites changed regularly, the higher content of the powders, the lower friction coefficient of the composite materials, the wear quantity is lower, the better performance of friction. The SEM pictures showed that there were some wear debris and the phenomenon of reunion on the materials’surface that were not modified. After modification, the materials’ surface just had some scratched, so it was better than with no modification. Compared with pure epoxy resin, the materials’ tribological properties that were filled by ZrB2-Al2O3 were improved a lot.