MAX phase ternary carbide derived 2-D ceramic nanostructures [CDCN] as chemically interactive functional fillers for damage tolerant epoxy polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

A 2-dimensional ceramic nanostructure was successfully processed out of nanolamellar 312 MAX phase ternary carbide, titanium silicon carbide, Ti₃SiC₂ (TSC), via a simple shear-induced delamination technique. It has been explored as a functional nanofiller for obtaining chemically homogeneous, low-friction, self-lubricating epoxy nanocomposites. The structural characterization of the MAX phase Carbide Derived Ceramic Nanostructure (CDCN) was carried out using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis. Subsequently, CDCN was mixed with Araldite CY 225 (DGEBA) at different percentages and thermally cured using Aradur HY 925 hardener at 130 °C to make epoxy–Ti₃SiC₂ nanocomposites. The effect of CDCN-nanofiller was studied on epoxy rheology, glass transition temperature (T_g), thermal stability, flexural and compressive strengths, microhardness, dry sliding wear and friction properties. It was found that, unlike other ceramic fillers, CDCN chemically interacts with epoxy and readily dispersed in a polymer matrix without any deleterious structural defects. It resulted in the formation of physico-chemically homogeneous microstructures. Epoxy composites prepared with CDCN filler attained 50% more mechanical strength and hardness. Wear analysis trends indicate Ti₃SiC₂ nano reinforcement possibly formed a lubricating tribo-chemical film that decreases the wear rate and coefficient of friction. This work is significant in such a way that a novel nanofiller has been identified from MAX phase carbide family which offers a self-lubricating interface and produces mechanically reliable, damage tolerant epoxy composite for state-of-the-art engineering applications.