Sliding tribological behavior of carbon nanotube/natural rubber composites

Abstract

A computational study has been made to investigate the tribological properties of carbon nanotube reinforced natural rubber composites as a function of sliding velocity at a normal loading. A three-layer model in which top and bottom layer using Iron atoms and the middle part with natural rubber matrices are constructed. Results obtained from simulations reveal that increase in sliding velocity 0.1 Å/ps to 0.11 Å /ps significantly decrease the coefficient of friction and abrasion rate. The addition of carbon nanotube to the natural rubber matrix decrease the average coefficient of friction and abrasion rate 24 % and 17 %, respectively.