A study on carbon nanotubes reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Poly(methyl methacrylate)-carbon nanotubes (PMMA-CNTs) nanocomposites with different contents have been prepared successfully by means of in situ polymerization process. CNTs discussed in this paper were multi-walled nanotubes. The microhardness of the PMMA-CNTs nanocomposites was measured. It was found that CNTs effectively increased the microhardness of the nanocomposites. The tribological behaviors of the nanocomposites were investigated by a friction and wear tester under dry conditions. Comparing with pure PMMA, PMMA-CNTs nanocomposites showed not only higher wear resistance but also smaller friction coefficient. CNTs could dramatically reduce the friction and improve the wear resistance behaviors of the nanocomposites. The mechanisms of the significant improvements on the tribological properties of the PMMA-CNTs nanocomposites were also discussed.