Abstract:
Thermal, mechanical and tribological properties of a new ceramic–polymer nanocomposite in which
polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer was reinforced with titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2), a ceramic
nanolaminate belonging to the MAX phase family (M is an early transition metal, A represents group IIIA
or IVA element and X is either carbon and/or nitrogen) are reported for the first time. PAEK–Ti3SiC2 nanocomposites
with varying volume fractions of Ti3SiC2 were processed by hot pressing. The effect of Ti3SiC2
on the thermal expansion, bulk hardness, mechanical strength, wear and friction properties was systematically
analyzed and the results are discussed. The study confirms that the Ti3SiC2 controlled the high
thermal expansion property of PAEK polymer. In addition to that, it enhanced the wear resistance and
mechanical strength of PAEK without affecting its inherent low-friction characteristics.
