A new polyimide matrix composite to improve friction-induced chatter performance through reducing fluctuation in friction force

Stabilizing friction force of polymer composites’ wear interfaces during frictional processes is useful to suppress or eliminate the friction-induced chatter and noise behaviors in low velocity. A new Polyimide (PI) matrix composite material composed of Polyimide and MoS 2 nano particles was fabricated and tested. The experimental wear tests were conducted to investigate relationship between friction forces, friction-induced chatters and noises under dry and water conditions in low friction velocity . The typical tribological properties of modified composite and some typical mechanical properties were analyzed to reveal the mechanism of MoS 2 nano particles on frictional behaviors reduction. The results showed that the transformations and formations of MoS 2 tribo-film presented excellent COF reduction on modified PI composite by more than 50%, and also could effectively reduce PI deformations on wear surface which obviously decreased friction forces and their fluctuating amplitudes. These cases endowed the modified PI composite excellent performances on friction-induced chatter and noise reductions compared to the pure PI even though some mechanical properties were weakened. The understanding gained herein is helpful for comprehending the friction-induced chatter reduction of the MoS 2 filler on polymer matrix composites and future designing of polymer matrix composites with low friction and good chatter and noise reductions in low friction velocity.