Enhancement of the wear resistance of epoxy coating in presence of MBT-loaded mesoporous silica nanocontainers

The impact mechanism of mesoporous 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT)-loaded silica nanocontainers (SNCs) on wear resistance of epoxy coating was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, BET analysis, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize SNCs. Also, pin-on-disk wear test, microhardness measurement and electron microscopy were used to investigate the impact mechanism of MBT-loaded SNCs on wear resistance of epoxy coating. Results of wear analysis revealed that presence of MBT-loaded SNCs increased the coating microhardness and also decreased the friction coefficient of coating layer and thereby resulted in significant improvement of wear resistance of coating. It was concluded that the superior wear resistance of nanocomposite coatings in presence of silica nanocontainers is due to reinforcement effect and self-lubricating action of mesoporous MBT-loaded SNCs.