Kurahatti, R.V.Surendranathan, A.O.Srivastava, S.Singh, N.Ramesh Kumar, A.V.Suresha, B.2026-02-052011Materials and Design, 2011, 32, 5, pp. 2644-26492641275https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2011.01.030https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/27261This paper discusses the friction and dry sliding wear behaviour of nano-zirconia (nano-ZrO<inf>2</inf>) filled bismleimide (BMI) composites. Nano-ZrO<inf>2</inf> filled BMI composites, containing 0.5, 1, 5 and 10wt.% were prepared using high shear mixer. The influence of these particles on the microhardness, friction and dry sliding wear behaviour were measured with microhardness tester and pin-on-disc wear apparatus. The experimental results indicated that the frictional coefficient and specific wear rate of BMI can be reduced at rather low concentration of nano-ZrO<inf>2</inf>. The lowest specific wear rate of 4×10-6mm3/Nm was observed for 5wt.% nano-ZrO<inf>2</inf> filled composite which is decreased by 78% as compared to the neat BMI. The incorporation of nano-ZrO<inf>2</inf> particles leads to an increased hardness of BMI and wear performance of the composites shows good correlation with the hardness up to 5wt.% of filler loading. The results have been supplemented with scanning electron micrographs to help understand the possible wear mechanisms. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.BismaleimidesDry sliding wearE. WearFilled compositesFiller loadingFrictional coefficientsG. Scanning electron microscopyGood correlationsHigh shear mixersLow concentrationsMicrohardness testerNano-materialsPin on discScanning electron micrographsWear mechanismsWear performanceWear ratesFillersFrictionMicrohardnessNanocompositesNanostructured materialsScanningScanning electron microscopySprayed coatingsTribologyZirconiaZirconium alloysWear of materials