Tribological properties of LDPE + Boehmite composites

Abstract Tribological properties of composites of low density polyethylene (LDPE) reinforced with 1, 5, 10, 20 wt% micrometric Boehmite (B) and/or preheated Boehmite (HB) powders were studied in combination with two silane coupling agents (SCAs): vinyltri(2‐methoxyethoxy)‐silane (VTMES)‐SCA 972 and 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)‐propylmethacrylate (3MPS)‐SCA 989. When coupling agents are used, the samples not subjected to preheating provide higher yields of grafting and more bonds introduced on surfaces of Boehmite particles than heated ones. We have determined sliding wear by multiple scratching along the same groove using a micro scratch tester. Instantaneous penetration depth is lowered by the filler addition to LDPE. However, there is less viscoelastic recovery and the residual (healing) depths increase with increasing Boehmite concentration. Friction was determined using a pin‐on‐disk tribometer and also a moving sled friction device. Addition of 20 wt% untreated B and/or HB particles to LDPE matrix reduces friction. However, a more significant improvement of tribological properties results from incorporation of grafted particles; this occurs because of an increase of the filler/matrix interfacial adhesion. Surface morphology seen in scanning electron microscopy confirms this explanation. Friction values for all samples decrease along with the filler concentration increase. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers