Mechanical and Tribological Properties of NBR Composites with Reinforcing Fillers: Experiment and Simulation
摘要
To enhance deformation resistance and service life of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites, this study systematically investigated the mechanical and tribological properties of NBR reinforced with phenolic resin (PF), glass fiber (GF), and graphene (GE). Compared with pure NBR, Shore A hardness of NBR/PF, NBR/GF, and NBR/GE increased by 5.9, 9.6, and 11.0%, and tensile strength by 16.1, 17.5, and 28.7%, respectively; NBR/GE showed the best overall performance (hardness 74.8, tensile strength 28.7 MPa). The average coefficient of friction decreased by 8.09, 17.65, and 24.26%. Wear surface analysis revealed that pure NBR exhibited severe adhesive wear, deep grooves, and extensive flaking, whereas NBR/GE composites had the shallowest wear marks and the most intact surface with almost no flaking. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that NBR/GE possessed the lowest free volume fraction, mean square displacement, and total potential energy, along with the highest absolute van der Waals energy, reflecting the strongest interfacial bonding, most restricted chain motion, and most stable structure.