Improving tribological properties of bismaleimide nanocomposite filled with carbon nanotubes treated by atmospheric pressure filamentary dielectric barrier discharge

Atmospheric pressure filamentary dielectric barrier discharge (APDBP) treatment was adopted to modify the surface of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), altering the miscibility of MWCNTs with bismaleimide (BMI) matrix and the effects of this treatment on friction and wear properties of MWCNTs/BMI composites were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the fractured surface and the worn surface were adopted to figure out the possible friction and wear mechanism of the composite. It is found that BMI composite with APDBD treated MWCNTs exhibits a lower friction coefficient value and a lower wear loss rate value than the composite with original MWCNTs, which can be related to the higher degree of crosslink of the resin and also better interfacial adhesion between MWCNTs and the BMI matrix.