Polyamide 46 (PA46) is used in various automotive parts because of its excellent heat resistance and mechanical properties. This study aims to improve the frictional properties of PA46 using the lubricating ability of graphene. Nanocomposites are prepared via two mixing methods: Graphene powder is compounded directly with PA46 pellets through a twin-screw extruder, or PA46 powder is added to graphene dispersion for self-adsorption, and subsequently, it is dried and compounded with PA46 through the twin-screw extruder. Application of the nanocomposite in the friction field is evaluated via the pin-on-disk method. The coefficient of friction of the nanocomposite prepared by self-adsorption is lower than that of the nanocomposite prepared by direct compounding. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposite fabricated by self-adsorption are superior to those of other materials. This can be attributed to the uniform dispersion of graphene and the strong attractive force between the PA46 matrix and graphene.

Polypropylene (PP) is used as a housing material in automotive headlamps but can cause fogging as a result of absorbed moisture and temperature differences between the exterior and interior of the housing. In this study, PP was combined with a graphene/montmorillonite hybrid (MMT-G) to yield a nanocomposite with reduced moisture absorption. Crucially, the modified nanofiller had low hydrophilicity and good compatibility with the PP matrix. Notably, the water contact angle of the MMT-G improved by 676%. Furthermore, the maximum moisture absorption of the PP/MMT-G nanocomposites was reduced by up to 11.22% compared to that of commercial PP composites, and the weight of the headlamp housing was decreased by 3.6%. Therefore, the designed nanocomposites are expected to help mitigate headlamp fogging while slightly reducing the housing weight.

Owing to stringent international environmental and fuel efficiency requirements for lightweight automotive systems, polymer composites have attracted widespread attention. Polypropylene (PP) is a widely employed commercial polymer because of its lightweight and low cost. In this study, PP nanocomposites were fabricated to reduce the moisture absorption of PP composites in automotive headlamp housings. Alkylated chemically modified graphene (CMG-R) was synthesized to reduce the surface hydrophilicity of graphene and increase compatibility with the PP matrix. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed to analyze the nanofillers. X-ray diffraction was performed to determine the interlayer spacing of the nanofiller resulting from surface treatment. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to analyze the crystallinity of the nanocomposites. The results indicated that the improved hydrophobicity of the nanofiller due to alkylation reduced the maximum moisture absorption of the PP nanocomposites by 15% compared to PP composites. The findings of this study are useful for reducing fogging in automotive headlamps.

Fogging in automotive headlamps is a significant issue that affects both aesthetics and functionality. This study investigates the use of graphene-based nanocomposites to mitigate fogging by enhancing the hygroscopic properties of polybutylene terephthalate/acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (PBT/ASA) composites commonly used in headlamps. The incorporation of functionalized graphene improved the tensile and flexural strength of the nanocomposites, though it led to a reduction in elongation and melt flow. Additionally, the solid lubrication properties and increased surface hardness of the graphene contributed to enhanced wear resistance. The presence of graphene in the nanocomposites also reduced moisture diffusion, lowering the rates of both hygroscopic and desorption when compared to commercial PBT/ASA composites. Furthermore, the nanocomposites exhibited a reduction in maximum moisture uptake. These improvements are expected to reduce the absolute humidity inside the headlamp, thereby effectively mitigating the fogging issue.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is widely used across various industries due to its high thermal stability, chemical resistance, and superior mechanical properties. However, its tribological and electrical properties require enhancement for advanced applications. This study investigates the effect of graphene coating on PEEK microspheres to improve their performance. Functionalized graphene oxide (CMG+) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) were introduced onto the PEEK surface via an electrostatic self-adsorption process, followed by high-speed mixing and hot-pressing to fabricate PEEK–graphene nanocomposites. The structural, thermal, tribological, and electrical properties of the composites were systematically analyzed. The results show that graphene acts as a nucleating agent, enhancing the crystallinity of the nanocomposites. Tribological tests indicate that CMG+ significantly reduces the friction coefficient, with CMG1.0 and CMG2.0 samples showing friction reductions of 54% and 63%, respectively, compared to pure PEEK. Moreover, electrical property evaluations reveal that surface resistance decreases with increasing graphene content, achieving optimal conductivity at 1.0 wt.% CMG+ and further enhancement with the addition of GnPs. These findings demonstrate that the functionalized graphene-coated PEEK microspheres exhibit superior tribological and electrical performance due to nanoscale interactions, making them suitable for electrostatically dissipative and wear-resistant applications.