Abstract
Ceramic/polymer nanocomposites promise to be a new class of materials that will have wide application either for surface protection, providing low friction and inert corrosion barriers, or where tailored electrical and magnetic properties with increased abrasion and wear resistance are required. The high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) combustion spray process has been used to successfully process polymer-ceramic nanocomposites at 5 - 20 volume % of reinforcement. The latest results of process-structure- property relationship studies in silica and carbon black reinforced nylon 11 coatings are presented. It was found that the improvement in mechanical properties depends on the distribution and surface chemistry of the particulates and on the increase in matrix crystallinity due to the particulates.
