A study on mechanical, thermal, and wear characteristics of nylon 66/molybdenum disulfide composites reinforced with glass fibers

Abstract The influence of silane‐coated short glass fibers (SGF) on the mechanical and wear characteristics of nylon 66 composites was investigated by compounding nylon 66 with 35% SGF as well as with 2% molybdenum disulfide (MoS ₂ ) and without MoS ₂ in a co‐rotating twin screw extruder. Thus the resultant material was evaluated for physico‐mechanical, thermal, sliding wear, and morphological characteristics. It was found that the addition of glass fibers as well as MoS ₂ has significantly improved the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength of the nylon 66. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis reveals significant changes in the crystallization behavior of nylon 66 for incorporation of fillers. Thermal stability of the nylon 66 was found to be improved as revealed by the thermogravimetric analysis results. Dynamic mechanical analysis results show drastic improvement in the storage modulus of the nylon 66 both in the glassy region as well as in the rubbery region. Wear analysis shows that the incorporation of glass fibers and MoS ₂ filler has reduced the wear loss and specific wear rate of nylon 66. Worn surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy to have better insight of the wear mechanism. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers