Study the influence of size and shape of silica fillers in polymer composites on the tribolayer formation

This study reviews the effect of the size and shape of silica particles in polymer composites on transfer film formation under sliding conditions. Within the framework of movable cellular automata method the influence of the size of silica nanoparticles is exanimated. For this the numerical model of the local contact area of the polymer composite with silica nanoinclusions is developed. It is shown that in order to ensure the low friction properties of polymer composite, particles whose sizes are comparable with the characteristic size of the substrate microprofile are preferred. The parameters of the recesses on the counterbody are estimated, which contribute to the formation of a stable tribofilm. Additionally, experimental dry sliding wear tests of epoxy compounds filled with carbon fibers and spherical nanosilica or irregular shaped microsilica, were conducted against 100Cr6 bearing steel. The results show that the epoxy material filled with carbon fibers and fumed silica yields the most evenly distributed transfer film formation as well as the best friction and wear properties.