Influence of the modulated ultrasound on the structure, mechanical and tribotechnical properties of polytetrafluoroethylene composite and multi-layered carbon nanotubes

The article presents a comprehensive study of the structure, mechanical, and tribotechnical properties of polymer composite materials based on polytetrafluoroethylene (fluoroplastic-4) filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The mechanical and tribotechnical properties are tested, and the supramolecular structure are investigated. The authors establish the patterns of changes in the complex of functional characteristics of polymer composite materials, depending on the filler concentration and the manufacturing process. A method of cold pressing with ultrasonic exposure and low-frequency amplitude modulation is proposed and implemented. The method provides intensification of the filler particles deaggregation, increasing the homogeneity of their distribution and strengthening the interfacial interaction. Moreover, the method leads to more efficient transfer of the contact load between the polymer composite material components and increase the durability of the tribosystem as a result of reducing the abrasive wear. In particular, the use of ultrasonic pressing, studied by polymer composite material at a content of 1.5 wt. % of nanotubes, the use of ultrasonic pressing provides an increase in the tensile strength by 10 %, the modulus of elasticity by 16 % and a decrease in the mass wear rate by 15 % compared to the traditional pressing technology. The results indicate the correlation of the pressing mode parameters, structure and mechanical- tribotechnical properties, which allow obtaining antifriction composites with increased strength and wear resistance.

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