Clay minerals regulating the performance of tribo-composites: A review
Kun Yu, Xi Shang, Liangjie Fu, Xiaochao Zuo, Huaming Yang
Abstract
The exponential increase in the amount of research focused on clay-mineral-based tribo-composites has offered an unprecedented opportunity for their use in automobile, coating, lubricant, and mechanical bearing devices. Clay-mineral-based tribo-composites provide remarkable improvements in mechanical, thermal, and lubrication qualities that can be applied in industry. The clay mineral types, modification approaches, matrix materials, and synthesis methods all influence the obtained performance of tribo-composites. Herein, this paper presents recent advances in the modification strategies of seven typical clay minerals: sepiolite, vermiculite, palygorskite, montmorillonite, talc, kaolinite, and halloysite. The effects of these clay-minerals/clay-mineral-based composites on the resultant mechanical, lubrication, sound-absorbing, thermal and tribological functions of tribo-composites are also outlined. Furthermore, current theories and methods regarding performance prediction and design recommendations for advanced friction composite materials are discussed, with specific examples drawn from the scientific literature. This review aims to inspire further explorations on clay mineral modification techniques, taking advantage of the particular structures and physical and chemical properties to develop high-performance next-generation friction material products.