Mechanical and tribological behaviors of MWCNT/polyimide nanocomposites under drift of glass transition temperature

Herein, the tribological behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polyimide (PI) composites in water was investigated based on manufacturing optimization using response surface methodology (RSM). Wear surfaces and transfer films were analyzed by SEM, EDS, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. It indicates that the molding process for neat PI and MWCNT/PI is deeply subjected to a narrow processing temperature window. Depending on the positive drift of the glass transition temperature for MWCNT/PI, the tribological properties in water were significantly affected by molding temperature. Besides, combined with experimental results and simulation analysis, it suggested that MWCNT performs rolling and/or sliding motions in molecular bearings form between frictional pairs for enhanced lubrication.