Enhancing the functionality of polymer nanocomposites

The results presented here demonstrate the benefit of nanoscale reinforcement to improve wear resistance of the composite material but to improve the overall performance of the materials for a sliding seal application no single reinforcement material is suitable. However, a combination of reinforcements can be developed which impart multiple functionality to the composite. For instance, both silica and M0S2 nanoparticles added to a polyurethane resin matrix can generate improvements in both friction and wear behaviour. 

The work here has been carried out with thermosetting resin matrices but there is no reason to suspect that similar results will not be achieved using thermoplastic resins which can be processed into fibres, e.g. by melt electrospinning. Enhanced functionality can be achieved at relatively small 

9 Variation of coefficient of friction with sliding speed for vinyl ester resin with and without 0.5% multiwall nanotube reinforcement. 

It is clear that multifunctional materials may be developed by using several reinforcements in the resin matrix and the choice of these should be based on the required functionality. Many possibilities exist, including  

In some cases these functionalities may be achieved by other methods, e.g. by coating or surface texturing after fibre manufacture and the relative merits of the competing technologies will need to be assessed. 

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