Comparison of the effect of nanosilica, nanoclay, nanographene and carbon nanotubes on the tribological and mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride-wood flour composites

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Cellulosic Materials and Packaging Research Group, Research Center of Chemistry and Petrochemistry, Standard Research Institute, Karaj, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2025.396855.1349

Abstract

In this study, the abrasion and tribological performance of polyvinyl chloride–wood flour composites reinforced with nanosilica, nanoclay, nanographene, and carbon nanotubes were investigated. Moreover, the mechanical strength and hardness of specimens containing nanoparticles were compared with those of control samples. To achieve this objective, wood flour was mixed with polyvinyl chloride at a weight ratio of 50% by melt compounding. Nanoparticles were used at various loading levels of 1, 2, 3, and 5% (by weight). Tribological tests were performed according to the pin-on-disk method, and wear resistance and friction coefficient were measured. The morphological aspects of the specimens were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to evaluate the dispersion of nanoparticles in the composites. The results indicated that the presence of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix improved the tribological behavior of the composites by reducing the wear rate and increasing the friction coefficient. However, the tribological properties of the samples decreased with the inclusion of high nanoparticle loadings (5% by weight). The lowest weight loss was observed for specimens containing nanosilica, nanographene, carbon nanotubes, and nanoclay, with values of 0.11, 0.14, 0.19, and 0.22 g at the 3 wt% loading level, respectively. The weight loss of the control samples was 0.33 g. The evaluation of hardness and mechanical properties (flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength, and tensile modulus) showed that the highest values were obtained in composites containing 3% nanosilica. Morphological observations revealed that nanoparticles were homogeneously and well dispersed in the samples, whereas improper dispersion and agglomeration occurred at the higher nanoparticle content of 5% by weight.

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References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 403-417

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