Effect of different filler reinforcement on poly-ether-ether-ketone based nanocomposites for bearing applications

This study investigates the effect of dispersion of nanofiller reinforcement high performance polymer matrix to enhance the thermo-mechanical properties for bearing application. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrix is reinforced with acid fucntionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) and similar matrix was then reinforced with nano tungsten carbide (nano WC) to comparatively present their mechanical, thermal and morphological properties. The Nanocomposites were prepared via melt compounding method followed by injection moulding technique. The PEEK/f-MWCNTs nanocomposite exhibited better property enhancement than the PEEK/nano WC. Spectroscopical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of improved interfacial adhesion between PEEK and f-MWCNTs. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) micrograph depicted improved dispersion of f-MWCNTs in PEEK matrix than that of nano WC. Due to improved interfacial interaction between f-MWCNTs and PEEK, this resulting nanocomposite showed better mechanical, thermal and morphological properties than PEEK/nano WC. Due to ceramic nature of nano WC and higher density difference the agglomeration of particles occurred leading to lower properties.