Tribological characterization of epoxy coatings modified with ionic liquids and graphene

© 2018 Elsevier LtdThe tribological performance of new epoxy resin (RE) coatings on mild steel AISI 1015 substrate has been studied under pin-on-disk configuration against AISI 316L stainless steel. Both single layer and double layer coatings were obtained by spin coating and curing. A single layer coating of RE modified by a dispersion of graphene (G) in the aprotic ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, RE+9 wt.%([OMIM]BF4+0.1 wt.%G), prevents wear and reduces the coefficient of friction in a 60% with respect to RE. When the fluorine-free protic ionic liquid bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium oleate (DO) is used, a double layer coating is necessary to achieve wear prevention and friction reduction up to 70% for RE+9 wt.%DO, and up to 50% for RE+9 wt.%(DO+0.1 wt.%G).