Effect of nano fillers on the properties of polytetrafluoroethylene composites: Experimental and theoretical simulations

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has excellent corrosion resistance and a low coefficient of friction; however, its high wear rate and low hardness severely limit its use. In the work, nano particles were used as fillers for PTFE. The composites were prepared by the homogeneous mixing of PTFE and other fillers and sintered at high temperatures. The work aimed to investigate the effect of various nano fillers (nanocarbon powders, graphene, fullerene, nano graphite powders, and nano copper powders) on the mechanical, thermal, and frictional properties of composites. The results of the experiments showed that the addition of graphene could improve the stress and strain values of the composites, and all the nano fillers could improve the thermal conductivity of the PTFE composites. The friction experiments showed that fullerenes could significantly improve the wear resistance of PTFE composites. In the theoretical simulation, the thermal conductivity of PTFE composites was predicted using ANSYS software, with the changes in the temperature and friction force in the friction process. The theoretical simulation results matched with the experimental values, which proved the accuracy of the theoretical simulations.