Polyaryletherketone polymer nanocomposite engineered with nanolaminated Ti3SiC2 ceramic fillers

• MAX phase ternary carbide (Ti3SiC2) is reported as functional filler.
• Ti3SiC2 filler in PAEK composites is studied for the first time.
• Ti3SiC2 increases the wear resistance without decreasing the friction coefficient.
• Engineered PEAK nanocomposite is developed for complex structural components.

Thermal, mechanical and tribological properties of a new ceramic–polymer nanocomposite in which polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer was reinforced with titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2), a ceramic nanolaminate belonging to the MAX phase family (M is an early transition metal, A represents group IIIA or IVA element and X is either carbon and/or nitrogen) are reported for the first time. PAEK–Ti3SiC2 nanocomposites with varying volume fractions of Ti3SiC2 were processed by hot pressing. The effect of Ti3SiC2 on the thermal expansion, bulk hardness, mechanical strength, wear and friction properties was systematically analyzed and the results are discussed. The study confirms that the Ti3SiC2 controlled the high thermal expansion property of PAEK polymer. In addition to that, it enhanced the wear resistance and mechanical strength of PAEK without affecting its inherent low-friction characteristics.