Mechanical and tribological properties of fluororubber enhanced by three carbon nanomaterials at a high temperature: A molecular simulation approach

Abstract

Fluororubber (FKM), known for its high-temperature resistance and mechanical deformation capabilities, is extensively used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Owing to its high-temperature resistance, FKM is commonly utilized as a sealing material in high-temperature environments. With the advancement in various fields, there has been an increasing demand in engineering for its performance under high-temperature conditions. This study investigates the impact of graphene (GNS), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and fullerene (C60) on the mechanical and tribological properties of FKM at 533 K using molecular dynamics simulations. Results indicate that GNS/FKM shows the greatest enhancement in Young's and Shear modulus, while C60/FKM exhibits the best Bulk modulus performance. Regarding tribological properties, the optimal characteristics were observed in CNT/FKM. This suggests that the incorporation of three types of carbon nanomaterials enhances the resistance of FKM material to volumetric, shear, and elastic deformation, as well as frictional wear at a high temperature (533 K). Furthermore, the mechanical properties section analyzed the binding energy, mean square displacement, and free volume fraction of the four FKM systems, while the tribological properties section examined the relative concentration, total potential energy, friction temperature, and radial distribution function. Through the aforementioned analysis, it was revealed that the incorporation of three types of carbon nanomaterials enhances the mechanical and tribological properties of FKM material at a high temperature (533 K), and differences in enhancement mechanisms exist.