Role of Reinforcing Agents on Mechanical Properties of POM Based Hybrid Composites

Silicone rubber, PTFE, aramid fiber and molybdenum disulphide reinforcing materials modify the mechanical properties of polyoxymethylene (POM). In the current research work, the roles of these reinforcing materials on the physical and mechanical properties of the POM composites were evaluated. A remarkable synergistic effect between the AF and MoS2 in improving the tensile strength and impact strength of POM based composites was demonstrated. The mechanical strength depends on the fiber/filler loading over the full range of the study. The tensile strength of AF/PTFE/SC/POM hybrid composites was 28.6 % higher than that of the POM alone, compared to only a 23.8% increase in tensile strength for MoS2 /AF/PTFE/SC/POM hybrid composites over the pristine POM. Also, impact strength increased by 135.8% using AF/PTFE hybrid fillers and 107.9% for MoS2 filler in SC-POM blend, compared to unreinforced POM. Scanning electron microscope images of the fracture surfaces of the POM matrix showed that AF/MoS2 fillers exhibited higher solubility and better compatibility than PTFE/SC-POM composites. The morphological investigation indicates that the fiber pull-out and fiber breakage both donate energy dissipation to the tensile fracture of the composites.