Preparation and Tribological Properties of Modified MoS₂/SiC/Epoxy Composites

In order to improve the tribological properties of epoxy (EP), EP composites were prepared by filling different proportions of silicon carbide (SiC) particles and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) powder. SiC and MoS₂ particle surfaces were modified by the silane coupling agent KH560 to improve dispersion and avoid agglomeration of the inorganic particles in the EP resin matrix. The effect of different proportions of modified MoS₂ content on the tribological properties of SiC/EP composites, and the wear mechanism of the worn surface, were investigated when the filler content was fixed at 55 wt.%. The results indicate that the friction and wear properties of modified MoS₂/SiC/EP composites are better than SiC/EP composites without modified MoS₂. When the modified MoS₂ content is 4 wt.%, the average friction coefficient and volume wear rate of the modified MoS₂/SiC/EP composite are 0.447 and 14.39 × 10^-5 mm³/N·m, respectively, which is reduced by 10.06% and 52.13% in comparison with that of the 55 wt.% SiC/EP composite. Furthermore, the average friction coefficient of a composite containing 4 wt.% MoS₂ is 16.14% lower, and the volume wear rate is 92.84% lower than that of pure EP.