Review of tribological properties of polyimide-based composite materials
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 7 August 2023
Issue publication date: 31 October 2023
Abstract
Purpose
As a high-performance engineering plastic, polyimide (PI) is widely used in the aerospace, electronics and automotive industries. This paper aims to review the latest progress in the tribological properties of PI-based composites, especially the effects of nanofiller selection, composite structure design and material modification on the tribological and mechanical properties of PI-matrix composites.
Design/methodology/approach
The preparation technology of PI and its composites is introduced and the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon fibers (CFs), graphene and its derivatives on the mechanical and tribological properties of PI-based composites are discussed. The effects of different nanofillers on tensile strength, tensile modulus, coefficient of friction and wear rate of PI-based composites are compared.
Findings
CNTs can serve as the strengthening and lubricating phase of PI, whereas CFs can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the matrix. Two-dimensional graphene and its derivatives have a high modulus of elasticity and self-lubricating properties, making them ideal nanofillers to improve the lubrication performance of PI. In addition, copolymerization can improve the fracture toughness and impact resistance of PI, thereby enhancing its mechanical properties.
Originality/value
The mechanical and tribological properties of PI matrix composites vary depending on the nanofiller. Compared with nanofibers and nanoparticles, layered reinforcements can better improve the friction properties of PI composites. The synergistic effect of different composite fillers will become an important research system in the field of tribology in the future.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Hebei Natural Science Foundation (Grant no. E2020402009), Hebei Introducing Overseas Talent Funding Project (Grant no. C20210310), Handan Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (Grant no. 19422111008–26) and Science and Technology Project of Hebei Education Department (Grant no. QN2022121).
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest concerning the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors express their heartfelt gratitude to all the researchers who have indirectly contributed to this review paper. They have taken measures to cite all sources of information here; however, any lacking in citation should be the subject matter of condonation in the name of science, knowledge and sharing.
Citation
Yan, J., Zhang, X. and Wang, Y. (2023), "Review of tribological properties of polyimide-based composite materials", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 75 No. 8, pp. 883-894. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-05-2023-0138
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited