Characterization of Fluoropolymer Composites with Different Filler Materials
Project no. 28493 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2023
Summary
<p>In this study, composite coating systems reinforced with B₄C and CNT were prepared and optimized to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and tribological performance of FEP- and PFA-based fluoropolymer matrices. Despite their excellent chemical resistance and thermal stability, fluoropolymers exhibit limited wear resistance, making the use of performance-enhancing fillers essential, particularly in industrial surface protection applications. In this context, the effects of filler ratio (1–15%) and polymer type on wear behavior were evaluated using the Central Composite Design (CCD) approach. According to the results, the incorporation of B₄C significantly improved the wear resistance of PFA/FEP matrices, whereas CNT addition did not provide the expected enhancement due to dispersion and agglomeration issues. Model optimization performed through the Response Optimizer yielded desirability values close to 1, confirming that the proposed model produced highly reliable optimal solutions. The highest wear performance was achieved in the 40% FEP – 60% PFA matrix at medium filler levels. Thermal analysis results demonstrated that B₄C-filled systems exhibited higher crystallinity and a more stable thermal profile. DSC analyses confirmed that filler incorporation increased the melting enthalpy and crystalline phase formation, while XRD results indicated that the crystallite size increased with the addition of fillers.</p><p>Overall, the study demonstrates that optimizing filler type, filler content, and film thickness can substantially improve the industrial performance of fluoropolymer composite coatings. Additionally, the project aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13) by contributing to longer-lasting coating systems, reduced material consumption, and increased process efficiency.</p>