Organic Montmorillonite/Polyethersulfone/Polytetrafluoroethylene Ternary Nanocomposites: Characterization and Tribological Performance in Dry Sliding Condition

Polyethersulfone (PES)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based composite were prepared with the nanofiller of organic montmorillonite (OMMT). Compared with original OMMT, the interlayer spacing of OMMT in nanocomposites was decreased from 3.47 nm to 1.35 nm, attributing to the decomposition of interlayer quaternary ammonium salt. OMMT nanofiller was favorable to improve the thermal stability and abrasion resistance of PES/PTFE compounds. The preferable wear property of OMMT/PES/PTFE composite was mainly ascribed to the load bearing capacity of OMMT on the worn surface of polymer composites. The OMMT/PES/PTFE compound with 10 wt% OMMT exhibited the lowest wear rate, owing to its densification morphology. Because of the absence of PTFE transfer film, the friction coefficient of OMMT/PES/PTFE compound with 10 wt% OMMT were higher than those of PTFE and PES/PTFE compounds.