Constructing Ti3C2Tx/Carbon fiber hybrids for enhancing the interfacial strength and erosion wear resistance of EP-based composite coating

Abstract

Composite coatings are indispensable for protecting the offshore steel materials serviced in the splash zone. But the mechanical properties of conventional epoxy resin (EP) coatings are poor, which would lead to a short-term lifespan. The carbon fiber (CF) with excellent mechanical properties is an ideal filler to reinforce the EP coating, thus we chemically grafted Ti3C2Tx nanosheets onto CF via dopamine to enhance the interface adhesion and compatibility between CFs and EP, and improve the mechanical strength and erosion wear resistance of CF/Ti3C2Tx composite coating. The flexural property of CF/Ti3C2Tx@EP coating was evaluated by a three-point bending test, and its flexural strength was increased by 26.97% compared with pure epoxy resin coating. The tribological behaviors and erosion wear resistance of composite coatings were tested using a UMT-3 tribometer and erosion test rig. A UMT-3 tribometer and erosion test rig were used to evaluate the tribological performances and erosion wear resistance for composite coatings. When contrasted to EP coating, CF/Ti3C2Tx@EP′ wear rate was lowered by 79.39%, and its erosion mass and volume were reduced, respectively, by 21.31% and 66.85%, this was ascribed to its enhanced interfacial combination strength with Ti3C2Tx/CF hybrids and EP. We investigated failure behavior and revealed the interfacial strengthening mechanism of the CF/Ti3C2Tx@EP composite coating, which would evoke widespread interest in developing high-performance and long-term protective composite coatings used in the splash zone of the marine environment.