Effect of addition of fillers (MoS₂ and PFA) on the tribological and mechanical properties of biobased semi-aromatic polyamide (PA10T)

In an attempt to enhance the properties of biobased semi-aromatic polyamide poly (decamethylene terephthalamide) acid (PA10T), the effects of different proportions of fillers [MoS2 and polyfluoroalkoxy (PFA)] were investigated. A range of stable and wear-resistant composites, with filler contents varying from 0 to 10 wt%, were successfully prepared using a one-step extrusion blending method. To analyze the chemical structures, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) experiments were conducted. Additionally, SEM, tribological tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), tensile measurement, notched impact test, and bending test were employed to thoroughly evaluate the properties of both PA10T and composites. The findings demonstrated that the target products were effectively created, and the composites with fillers exhibited superior wear resistance. Alongside this, they showcased comparable heat resistance and mechanical properties to the pure PA10T. Of particular note, when 4 wt% PFA and 6 wt% MoS2 were added, the specific wear rate of PA10T-F4M6 (0.0016 mg center dot min-1) was impressively reduced by 86.2% in comparison to pure PA10T (0.0116 mg center dot min-1). This reduction in wear mass from 0.7 mg (PA10T) to 0.1 mg (PA10T-F4M6) further confirms the improvement in wear resistance. Ultimately, these results suggest that composites, with their exceptional wear resistance, hold great potential as heat-resistant engineering thermoplastics in future applications. Thus, they offer promising prospects for wider utilization across various fields. In essence, this study provides valuable insights into the beneficial impact of MoS2 and PFA fillers on polyamide wear resistance.Highlights The biobased poly (decamethylene terephthalamide) acid (PA10T) was synthesized through an efficient one-pot melt polymerization method. The composites with excellent performance were prepared by blending the biobased semi-aromatic polyamide PA10T with unique fillers (MoS2 and PFA) for modification. When 4 wt% PFA and 6 wt% MoS2 were added, the specific wear rate of composites was impressively reduced by 86.2% in comparison to pure PA10T. The addition of fillers (MoS2 and PFA) not only improves the wear resistance of PA10T but also enhances its crystallization properties and melting points effectively. The bending modulus of wear-resistant composites increased to 1553.66 MPa, representing an approximately 50.47% increase compared to PA10T.