Tribological Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites Reinforced by MoS2 Nanosheets and Aligned MWCNTs under Boundary Lubrication Conditions

WANG Jin; LEI Wenxing; ZHANG Yajun; TONG Zhe

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.03.022

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (3) : 210-219. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.03.022

Composites Forming

Tribological Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites Reinforced by MoS₂ Nanosheets and Aligned MWCNTs under Boundary Lubrication Conditions

WANG Jin¹, LEI Wenxing², ZHANG Yajun³, TONG Zhe^3,*

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Abstract

The work aims to investigate the tribological performance of epoxy composites synergistically reinforced by MoS₂ and aligned CNTs under boundary lubrication conditions. The friction and wear characteristics of pure epoxy, randomly dispersed, axially parallel, and vertically aligned CNTs composites were systematically analyzed at room temperature and elevated temperature (80 ℃) by UMT-2 tribometer, SEM, 3D profilometry, and finite element analysis. The lubrication and wear mechanisms in oil-lubricated environments under varying temperature were elucidated. Results demonstrated that oil lubrication significantly reduced the COF of all composites to below 0.1, with orientation-dependent interfacial tribological behaviors. The composite exhibited optimal comprehensive performance when the sliding direction was perpendicular to the axial direction of CNTs, achieving a room-temperature COF of 0.06 (48% reduction compared with pure epoxy) and reduced wear scar width (by 35%). This enhancement primarily attributed to stress gradient optimization via vertically aligned CNTs, which improved load-bearing capacity of composites. Meanwhile, the continuous lubricating film formatted through the synergistic effect of MoS₂ nanosheets and CNTs on the counterpart surface inhibited the furrow wear. Furthermore, as the ambient temperature rose to 80 ℃, enhanced oil film formation and additive activation further reduced the COF to 0.05 accompanied by the reduction of material loss. SEM characterization and finite element simulations confirmed that vertical MWCNTs alignment optimizes load distribution and matrix stress fields of composites, effectively inhibiting surface plowing and crack propagation. This work clarifies the synergistic strengthening mechanism of MWCNTs and MoS₂ on the boundary lubrication behavior of epoxy matrix composites, providing theoretical guidance for designing high-performance polymer-based wear-resistant materials under extreme operating conditions.

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epoxy matrix composites / aligned CNTs / MoS₂ / synergistic effect / boundary lubrication

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WANG Jin, LEI Wenxing, ZHANG Yajun, TONG Zhe. Tribological Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites Reinforced by MoS₂ Nanosheets and Aligned MWCNTs under Boundary Lubrication Conditions[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(3): 210-219 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.03.022

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