The effects of the size and content of potassium titanate whiskers on the properties of PTW/PTFE composites

In this study, the effects of the content and the average diameter of potassium titanate whiskers (PTW) on the mechanical strength, thermal properties, tribological performance and chemical stability of PTW/PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) composites were investigated. For the small size PTW at 5 wt%, the tensile strength, elongation at break, notched impact strength, thermal deformation temperature and wear resistance were simultaneously increased by 35.6, 46, 3, 11.1 and 1000% over pure PTFE, respectively. When filler size was increased, the tensile strength, elongation and hardness were decreased, while the wear resistance and thermal deformation temperature were improved. The range of PTW in PTFE for optimal integrative properties is 5–10 wt%, which is similar to the behavior of nanoparticles. SEM analysis shows that, comparing to glass fiber/PTFE composites, the internal structure of PTW/PTFE composites is more uniform and dense.