Wear-Resistant Graphene-Silicone Rubber Composites

Both the mechanical properties and friction characterization of graphene-silicone rubber composites were investigated systemically. Graphene-silicone rubber composites were prepared by means of solution and flocculation process to improve the processing performance and avoid agglomeration. It was found that the tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength of graphene-silicone rubber composites with 2.0% graphene were respectively 32.8, 21.1, and 23.5% higher than those for pure rubber. Both the friction coefficient and the abrasion loss of silicone rubber composites of 0.75 wt% graphene were 50.6 and 72.8% lower than those for the pure specimen. The microscopic fracture and friction mechanism of graphene-silicone rubber composites were analyzed, which indicated that both the wear resistance and mechanical properties of silicone rubber were influenced by the lubrication, reinforcement, and agglomeration of graphene. These results will play an important role in the design and evaluation of the friction and wear properties of graphene-silicone rubber composites.