Effect of core–shell structured SiO2@MoS2 on the tribological properties of epoxy resin/carboxyl terminated butadiene acrylonitrile composites

Abstract Towards the goal of improving the tribological properties of epoxy‐based composites, epoxy resin was firstly modified with carboxyl terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (CTBN), and then further modified by core–shell structured of SiO 2 @MoS 2 fillers. The friction and wear properties of studied composites were tested on a Plate‐on‐Ring configuration under different loads and speeds. To reveal the tribological contribution of MoS 2 and SiO 2 in the hybrid fillers, tribo‐tests were also done on composites filled with single CTBN, MoS 2 and SiO 2 . It is revealed that the transfer of both the EP/CTBN matrix and SiO 2 @MoS 2 CSs fillers play an important role in governing the tribo‐properties of rubber toughened EP composites. Depending on contacting conditions, the SiO 2 @MoS 2 CSs fillers might be released into the sliding interface and tribo‐chemical reactions might take place, both of which helped improve the tribo‐properties of studied composites.