Preparation and properties of MNSiO₂/CN40/PF nanocomposites

MNSiO₂/CN40/PF nanocomposites have been fabricated in this study. Nano‐SiO₂ was initially surface‐modified with γ‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS). The resulting nano‐SiO₂ was denoted as MNSiO₂. Core‐shell composites, MNSiO₂/CN40, was fabricated by a solution blending method, in which MNSiO₂ served as the core and liquid acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (CN40) served as shell. Phenol formaldehyde resins (PF) were prepared by means of condensation polymerization method. MNSiO₂/CN40/PF hybrid with a fixed weight ratio (2:98) of MNSiO₂/CN40 composites to PF were prepared by a modified routine of preparation of pure PF. MNSiO₂/CN40/PF nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating filler particles with MNSiO₂/CN40/PF hybrid via melt blending, followed by compression molding method. The impact of MNSiO₂ content on the properties of the MNSiO₂/CN40/PF nanocomposites was systematically investigated by varying the weight ratio of MNSiO₂ to CN40 in MNSiO₂/CN40 core‐shell composites. The results revealed that MNSiO₂/CN40 significantly enhanced the mechanical and frictional properties of the as‐prepared MNSiO₂/CN40/PF nanocomposites. Compared to pure PF, the impact strength of MNSiO₂/CN40/PF hybrid containing 1.0 wt% of MNSiO₂ in MNSiO₂/CN40 composites increased by 29.2%, and the initial storage modulus was enhanced dramatically. In addition, MNSiO₂/CN40/PF hybrid demonstrated stable friction coefficient, while the wear mechanism of pure PF was adhesive and fatigue wear. The MNSiO₂/CN40/PF nanocomposites exhibited a combination of adhesive, abrasive, and fatigue wear. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:179–186, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers