Study on the effect of particle size and dispersion of SiO2 on tribological properties of nitrile rubber

Abstract

BackgroundThe friction and wear of water-lubricated bearings has always been an engineering problem that we need to solve urgently. ObjectTo investigate the influence of SiO2 particle size and dispersion on the friction and wear properties of nitrile rubber. MethodThe friction and wear performance of rubber compounds (SiO2(nano)/NBR, SiO2 (micr)/NBR and SiO2 (TESP)/NBR) was tested by American Rtec multifunctional friction and wear test machine under the conditions of water lubrication and constant temperature. ResultsThe results showed that the particle size of SiO2 has a great impact on its dispersion in nitrile rubber, and the surface modification of SiO2 can significantly improve its dispersion. SiO2 (TESPT)/NBR showed a good friction coefficient under low-speed and high-load conditions. The wear of SiO2 (nano)/NBR and SiO2 (micr)/NBR, which was mainly the fatigue wear, was relatively serious. In contrast, the modified SiO2 had a smaller particle size, better dispersion and stronger interfacial bonding with the nitrile rubber matrix. This significantly reduced the wear of SiO2 (TESPT)/NBR, which was mainly the abrasive wear, and improved its wear resistance.