Improvement effects of CaO nanoparticles on tribological and microhardness properties of PMMA coating

• Published in: Journal of Coatings Technology and Research 2015-03, Vol.12 (2), p.347-355
• Main Authors: Aguilera-Camacho, L. D., Hernández-Navarro, C., Moreno, K. J., García-Miranda, J. S., Arizmendi-Morquecho, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Corrosion and Coatings; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Polymer Sciences; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Tribology
• ISSN: 1547-0091; 1935-3804
• DOI: 10.1007/s11998-014-9639-y

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/calcium oxide (PMMA/CaO) nanocomposite in the form of solution has been successfully prepared by mixing CaO nanoparticles and PMMA obtained by a free radical polymerization. For comparative studies, pure PMMA coating was also prepared to determine the influence of CaO nanoparticles incorporation into PMMA matrix on the properties behavior. Fourier transform infrared technique was used to study the synthesis of PMMA and PMMA/CaO nanocomposite. The coating thickness was determined by profilometry; it was increased from 97 to 107 µm, when CaO nanoparticles were added. The surface morphology of the coatings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The wear tests for PMMA/CaO and PMMA coatings on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene substrates were carried out on a pin - on - disk tribometer in dry conditions with normal loads ranging from 2 to 10 N. The friction coefficient behavior of PMMA coating was improved by the addition of CaO nanoparticles; however, volume loss and wear rate values were slightly higher for PMMA/CaO coatings than those corresponding to PMMA coatings. Microhardness of PMMA and PMMA/CaO coatings was also evaluated by Vickers measurements, revealing an increase of one order of magnitude for PMMA/CaO coating.