Tribological properties of carbon fabric reinforced phenolic-based composites containing CNTs@MoS₂ hybrids

Carbon fabric reinforced phenolic-based composites (CF/PF composites) often act a potential alternative to traditional materials which currently used in machine elements such as self-lubricating bearing, high-performance gears, and movable sealed. In the present study, the CNTs@MoS₂ hybrids were synthesized by hydrothermal method, which were used as additives for their optimal wear resistance and lubricating properties in order to enhance the tribological properties of CF/PF composites. We found that the CF/PF composites with varying contents of CNTs@MoS₂ hybrids showed improved self-lubricating properties under different sliding conditions, and the friction coefficient decreased as the content of additives increased. Nevertheless, the doping of 1 wt% hybrids decreased the wear resistance of CF/PF composites due to the occurrence of severe abrasive wear caused by peeling off of matrix in relatively large volume. However, with the contents of hybrids increased to 2 wt% and 4 wt%, the CF/PF composites exhibited improved wear resistance. The mechanism of wear resistance could be attributed to the excellent mechanical properties of CNTs and strong interfacial bonding force between hybrids and matrix as well as the formation of MoS₂ transfer film on the surface of counterpart.