Tribological properties optimization of nylon6 composites filled with SiC and Mica

Abstract

Nylon is expanding tremendously on a global scale. This paper deals with the optimization of wear behaviour of nylon-6 hybrid polymer matrix composites. The composites were prepared with Nylon 6 as the matrix and SiC and Mica as the reinforcements. Twin screw extruder and injection moulding was used to fabricate the composites. Experiments were conducted on Pin on Disc apparatus. Reinforcement %, Sliding distance, Sliding speed and Load are the parameters used for the study. Experiments were designed using Taguchi and optimization was performed using Grey Relational Analysis.L9 orthogonal array was used. It was observed that 7.5 wt% of Mica, Load 5 N, 500 m sliding distance and 6 m/s Sliding speed were the optimum process parameter settings. Using SEM micrographs, the wear mechanisms of the worn discs were examined. Additionally, it was noted that some abrasive wear and very little adhesive wear had occurred on the Nylon 6 composites.