Dry sliding wear characteristics of some industrial polymers against steel counterface

In this investigation, the influence of test speed and applied pressure values on the friction and wear behaviour of polyamide 66 (PA 66), polyoxymethylene (POM), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), 30% glass fibre reinforced polyphenylene-sulfide (PPS+30%GFR) and aliphatic polyketone (APK) polymers were studied. Friction and wear tests of PA 66, POM, UHMWPE, PPS+30%GFR and APK versus AISI D2 steel were carried out at dry condition on a pin-on-disc arrangement. Tribological tests were performed at room temperature at different pressures (0.35–1.05 MPa) and sliding speeds (0.5–2.0 m/s). The results showed that, for all polymers used in this investigation, the coefficient of friction decreases linearly with the increase in pressure. The specific wear rate for UHMWPE, PPS+30%GFR and APK were in the order of 10⁻⁵ mm³/N m, while the wear rate value for PA 66 was in the order of 10⁻⁶ mm³/N m. In addition to this, the wear rate value for POM was in the order of 10⁻³ mm³/N m. Furthermore, as the results of this investigation, the wear rate showed very little sensitivity to the applied pressures and test speed.     

Tribological behaviour of DLC coatings compared to different materials used in hip joint prostheses

The goal of the study carried out in the laboratory was to quantify the wear and the friction of two materials used for the manufacturing of hip prostheses. Tests used had to obtain in a short time the tribological behaviour laws of the materials. Tests on a hip simulator have been excluded because their cost and their duration were too high for a program of preliminary development of new materials.

To amplify wear phenomena, dry friction tests were carried out for two configurations: ball-on-disc and pin-on-disc. The influence of the contact pressure at constant sliding velocity on the wear of materials has been clearly shown.

Results obtained with several different tested materials (stainless steel/UHMWPE, stainless steel+DLC coating/UHMWPE, stainless steel+DLC coating/stainless steel+DLC coating, titanium alloy+DLC coating/UHMWPE, titanium alloy+DLC coating/titanium alloy+DLC coating, zirconium dioxide/UHMWPE, alumina/UHMWPE, alumina/alumina) have shown the superiority of DLC coatings. Promising results obtained during this study are in the validation stage on a hip simulator.     

Friction and sliding wear of UHMWPE modified cotton fibre reinforced polyester composites

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) modified polyester-cotton composites were developed and studied for friction and sliding wear behaviour at different applied loads and UHMWPE concentrations. Sliding wear tests were conducted by using pin-on-disc apparatus. Composites in the form of the pin were tested against EN-24 steel disc. The specific wear rate of polyester reduced on reinforcement of cotton and on addition of UHMWPE. The coefficient of friction of polyester resin increased on cotton reinforcement and reduced significantly on addition of UHMWPE in cotton polyester composite. The composites exhibited reductions in specific wear rate against the normal load in the specimens those containing 7.41 or higher volume percent of UHMWPE. The significant reduction in wear rate of UHMWPE modified polyester-cotton composite has been discussed with the help of SEM observations of worn surfaces and coefficient of friction. The addition of 14.19 vol.% UHMWPE in polyester resin brought down the value of μ to nearly half to that of polyester resin and 1/3rd of cotton polyester composite.     

Effect of contact stress on friction and wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in total hip replacement

This paper studies the effect of contact stress on friction and wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cups by means of friction and wear joint simulator testing under serum lubrication. For a given applied load, increasing the contact stress by increasing the ball/socket radial clearance decreased both the coefficient of friction and the wear rate. Friction and wear were highly correlated. The dependence of friction on contact stress for the UHMWPE socket under serum lubrication was similar to that of semi-crystalline polymers under dry sliding. This finding indicates the occurrence of partial dry contact at asperity levels for the metal-polyethylene ball-in-socket joint under serum lubrication.     

Tribological Performance of UHMWPE/GNPs Nanocomposite Coatings for Solid Lubrication in Bearing Applications

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/ graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposite coatings were developed to reduce friction and wear in the absence of liquid lubrication. UHMWPE nanocomposite powders with different loadings (0.25, 1, and 2 wt.%) of GNPs were prepared and electrostatic spraying technique was then used to deposit the nanocomposite powders on aluminum alloy to form a thin coating. Friction and wear tests were conducted on the coatings against a flat-end pin, made of hardened tool steel to determine the best loading of GNPs. That was further tested to investigate the effect of sliding speed and contact pressure on its tribological properties and to establish coating operating limits. Results showed that UHMWPE nanocomposite coating reinforced with 1 wt.% GNPs showed the best tribological performance. It reduced wear rate by about 51% as compared to the pristine UHMWPE coating. The coating sustained a maximum sliding speed of 1 m/s at a contact pressure of 4 MPa equivalent to a pressure and velocity (PV) value of 4 MPa.m/s.     

The effect of kinematic conditions on the wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in orthopaedic bearing applications

It is known that wear mechanisms differ between the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components of total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR). The difference in relative contact position or 'kinematic conditions of contact' between the metal and polymer components is thought to contribute to the contrast in observed wear mechanisms. A reciprocating wear tester was used to evaluate three basic kinematic contact conditions: sliding, in which the relative contact position on the polymer remains stationary; gliding, where the contact position on the polymer reciprocates; and rolling, where the contact position on the polymer varies and the relative velocities of both components are equal. All static load tests used cast Co-Cr alloy and irradiated Chirulen UHMWPE in a 37 degrees C environment lubricated with bovine serum albumin. UHMWPE test sample wear was measured gravimetrically at intervals of 600,000 cycles. The results indicated a difference in wear factor (volume lost due to wear per unit load per unit sliding distance) between the three groups with varying relative motion. The study indicates that screening tests which evaluate wear properties of new materials for total joint replacement should reflect the different kinematic contact conditions.     

Development and tribological behaviour of UHMWPE filled epoxy gradient composites

In this study, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) filled epoxy gradient composites have been developed. Samples were prepared for different centrifugation time periods. SEM and optical microstructures confirmed the graded dispersion of UHMWPE particles in the epoxy matrix. Quick estimation of gradient characteristics has been done by abrasive wear measurements. Sliding wear tests were conducted by using a pin-on-disc machine. The sliding wear rate of composites reduced on increasing centrifugation time. Reduction in sliding wear rate in UHMWPE filled epoxy gradient composites has been attributed to the reduction of tensile contact stresses as a result of the lubricating effect of UHMWPE's smooth surface and highly entangled chain structure of UHMWPE.     

Comparative study of micro- and nano-ZnO reinforced UHMWPE composites under dry sliding wear

This is a comparative study between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with micro-zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano-ZnO under different filler loads. These composites were subjected to dry sliding wear test under abrasive conditions. The micro- and nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites were prepared by using a hot compression mould. The wear and friction behaviours were monitored using a pin-on-disc (POD) test rig. The pin-shaped samples were slid against 400 grit SiC abrasive papers, which were pasted, on the stainless steel disc under dry sliding conditions. The worn surfaces and transfer film formed were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experimental results showed that UHMWPE reinforced with micro- and nano-ZnO would improve the wear behaviour. The average coefficient of friction (COF) for both micro- and nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites were comparable to pure UHMWPE. The weight loss due to wear for nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites are lower compared to micro-ZnO/UHMWPE and pure UHMWPE. The optimum filler loading of nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites is found to be at 10 wt%. The worn surface of ZnO/UHMWPE composites shows the wear mechanisms of abrasive and adhesive wear. Upon reinforcement with micro- and nano-ZnO, the abrasive and adhesive wear of worn surfaces transited from rough to smooth.     

On the wear debris of polyetheretherketone: fractal dimensions in relation to wear mechanisms

It has been recognized that wear debris contains extensive information about wear and friction of materials. Investigation of wear debris is important for tribological research. In order to find out an effective way that is able to diagnose and predict the wear state of polymers, the authors investigated the relationship between the wear debris morphology and the wear behaviour of the bulk material. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was employed as the model material. Its sliding wear and friction properties were measured by means of a pin-on-disc apparatus. At a constant sliding velocity of 1 m s⁻¹, the specific wear rate was independent of load under lower loading conditions (1–4 MPa) but increased with a rise in load under higher loading conditions (4–8 MPa). The coefficient of friction was insensitive to the variation of contact pressure. The possible mechanisms involved were analysed on the basis of the wear debris morphology as well as the wear performance. Fractal geometry, which describes non-Euclidean objects, was applied to the quantitative analysis of the boundary texture of the wear debris due to the fact that the qualitative assessment of the wear debris morphology was not effective enough to reflect the geometrical variation of the fragmental shapes. The experimental results demonstrated that the wear debris were fractals, and could be characterized with the fractal dimensions which were determined by the slit island method. In addition, it was found that the fractal dimension of the wear debris was closely related to the wear behaviour of PEEK, and can be regarded as a measure of wear rate.     

Dry sliding friction and wear properties of Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloy

Friction and wear properties of Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloy were investigated over a range of pressure and sliding speed using a pin-on-disc test machine. The friction coefficient of the alloy increased with sliding speed, but decreased with increasing pressure up to 1.5 MPa, above which the trend reversed. However, the temperature and wear volume of the alloy increased continuously with increasing pressure and sliding speed. A fine-grained layer and a region with flow lines were observed underneath the surface of the wear samples. The formation of these regions was related to smearing of wear particles and heavy deformation of surface material, respectively.     

沉积气压对W-S-C复合薄膜结构和摩擦学性能的影响

采用磁控溅射方法制备W-S-C复合薄膜,研究沉积气压对薄膜结构和摩擦学性能的影响。结果表明,复合膜以非晶或纳米晶结构生长,沉积气压低时薄膜中C含量高,薄膜结构致密;沉积气压高时薄膜中WSx含量高,薄膜致密性下降。复合膜硬度在HV420～500之间,并且随着沉积气压的增加,硬度逐渐下降。在潮湿大气中的摩擦磨损实验表明,实验载荷越大摩擦因数越小;随着沉积气压的增加,复合膜的摩擦因数先降低后增加;当沉积气压在0.45～0.55 Pa时,复合膜的摩擦因数最低约为0.1,耐磨性能最好。     

试验参数对人工滑液边界润滑条件下超高分子量聚乙烯/Ti6Al4V往复摩擦磨损行为的影响

采用自行研制的往复摩擦磨损试验机,在法向载荷50 N、往复频率1 Hz、摩擦副接触形式为圆环外圆周/平面、初始线接触长度为6 mm、相对湿度为80%的试验条件下,研究了钛合金表面粗糙度、试验环境温度、试验延续时间、滑液成分等试验参数对UHMWPE/Ti6A14V摩擦副的往复摩擦磨损行为的影响.结果表明,这些试验参数均显著影响UHMWPE/Ti6A14V摩擦副的往复摩擦磨损行为;在环境温度20℃、25%小牛血清去离子水溶液边界润滑、180 min往复摩擦磨损试验条件下,当钛合金表面粗糙度由Ra0.04 μm增加至Ra0.06μm时,摩擦副的平均摩擦因数由0.033增加至0.096,UHMWPE试样磨损量由0.131 mm3,增加至0.149 mm3;在钛合金表面粗糙度为Ra0.06μm、25%小牛血清去离子水溶液边界润滑、180 min往复摩擦磨损试验条件下,当试验环境温度由10℃上升至37℃时,摩擦副的平均摩擦因数由0.135减少至0.077,UHMWPE试样磨损量由0.188 mm3减少至0.134 mm3.     

Analysis of different strategies to reduce fretting wear in thin steel roping wires

After having checked in a previous study the influence of stroke and normal load in laboratory fretting tests accomplished with thin steel roping wires, in this paper the effect of the contact pressure (test configuration), environmental conditions (relative humidity) and reduction of the friction coefficient (lubricants) on the wear behaviour were analysed. The wires were 0.45 mm in diameter and the material was a cold‐drawn eutectoid carbon steel (0.8% C) with a Tensile Strength over 2800 MPa. The tests were performed on an oscillating test rig and the volumetric wear of both specimens of the tribocouple was determined separately from three‐dimensional topographies of the wear scars acquired by means of a confocal profiler, and a calculation algorithm developed in using MATLAB^®. The strong effect of humidity and lubrication on wear behaviour was proved, whereas a slight effect of contact pressure was derived. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

钴基合金的滑动磨损行为及仿真预测

以销—盘滑动模型为对象,研究钴基合金的摩擦磨损行为,预测大尺寸接触对的磨损状况。通过自主研发的磨损试验机获得钴基合金Stellite6材料的磨损量随磨程、速度和压力的变化规律;在试验与模拟相结合的基础上,建立滑动磨损过程的预测模型,实现节点移动和单元更新过程的自动递推,完成磨损各个阶段的动态仿真,并构建实现磨损过程全自动数值仿真的平台,应用于大尺寸耳轴—轴套模型的磨损预测。结果表明,基于销—盘滑动试验,采用有限元法来离散磨损过程,通过非线性计算实现的磨损仿真结果具有较高的可靠性和有效性。     

The Study of Arc Rate,Friction, and Wear Performance of C/C Composites in Pantograph–Catenary System

A series of tests on arc rate, friction coefficient, and wear rate of electrical current collectors sliding against overhead contact wires under different conditions was carried out on a high-speed friction and wear testing machine with a pin-on-disc configuration. The worn surface morphology and composition were examined using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersion spectrum analyzer, respectively. The effects of current, velocity, and load on the arc rate, friction coefficient, and wear rate of C/C composites/QCr0.5 couples were investigated, and the influence mechanism of test parameters on C/C composites was explained. It is concluded that the wear rate increases with an increase in current and velocity and has a decreasing trend with the increase in load. The friction coefficient increases with an increase in velocity and load. The arc rate of C/C composites/QCr0.5 couples increases with an increase in current and velocity. Under the condition of the same current and velocity, when the load is 70 N, the arc rate is the lowest.     

Effects of Contact Pressure and Sliding Speed on the Unlubricated Friction and Wear Properties of Zn-15Al-3Cu-1Si Alloy

The unlubricated friction and wear properties of Zn-15Al-3Cu-1Si alloy were studied over a range of contact pressure (1–5 MPa) and sliding speed (0.5–2.5 ms^?1) for a sliding distance of 2,500 m using a block-on-disc type test machine. It was observed that as the contact pressure increased, the friction coefficient of the alloy decreased but its working temperature, surface roughness, and wear volume increased. Sliding speed had no significant effect on the friction coefficient of the alloy but increased its working temperature, surface roughness, and wear volume. It was also observed that the formation of a hard and brittle surface layer had a great influence on the wear behavior of the experimental alloy. The hardness and thickness of this layer increased with increasing contact pressure and sliding speed. However, contact pressure was found to be much more effective on the hardness of the surface layer of this alloy. Both adhesion and abrasion were observed to be the dominant wear mechanisms for the alloy under the given sliding conditions. The results obtained from the friction and wear tests are discussed in terms of the test conditions and microstructural changes that take place during sliding.     

Time of exposure to lubricating liquid for predicting wear of UHMWPE in joint prostheses

It is generally agreed that contact pressure and sliding speed are the predominant factors for the prediction of wear of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in joint prostheses. A new parameter for predicting the wear of UHMWPE has been introduced with a wear test in vitro. The parameter is the time of exposure to a lubricating liquid on a bearing surface. A pin‐on‐disc machine was designed such that the exposure time of a Co Cr Mo alloy disc to a lubricating liquid could be varied. The specific wear of UHMWPE was increased by a decrease in the exposure time, even if the contact pressure and the sliding speed were held constant. The parameter is able to account for the contact pressure set in the experiment (2.0–20.0 mPa), and clarifies the conditions under which the specific wear of UHMWPE is found to be high.     

高载荷条件下石墨-石墨摩擦副的摩擦学特性研究

利用研制的高载荷条件下摩擦因数测试装置,研究了石墨/石墨摩擦副在空气、水和油介质中的摩擦学特性。结果表明在4~15MPa范围内,随着载荷的增加,摩擦副在空气、水和油介质中的摩擦因数都逐渐降低;在油介质中摩擦副的摩擦因数最小,在水介质中摩擦因数变化最平稳,在空气中摩擦因数最大,且随载荷的增加变化幅度最大。磨损表面原始形貌对比分析表明,在空气中,摩擦副表面处于边界润滑状态,主要磨损机制是粘着磨损和犁削;水润滑条件下为轻微犁削;油润滑条件下,摩擦副表面处于为边界润滑和流体润滑状态,油中的减摩剂对试样表面有抛光作用。     

High temperature friction and wear mechanism map for tool steel and boron steel tribopair

Abstract

Tribological systems working under severe conditions like high pressures, sliding velocities and temperatures are subjected to different phenomena such as wear, oxidation and changes in mechanical properties. In many cases, there are several mechanisms occurring simultaneously. The predominating type(s) of wear mechanism(s) presented will depend on the materials in contact, operating parameters and surrounding environment. In this work, high temperature tribological studies of boron steel sliding against tool steel were conducted using a pin-on-disc machine under unlubricated conditions at five different temperatures ranging from 25 to 400°C, three different loads: 25, 50 and 75 N (contact pressures of 2, 4 and 6 MPa respectively) and a sliding speed of 0·2 ms^?1. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray techniques were used for analysing the resulting damage and tribolayers of the worn surfaces. Additionally, hardness measurements were carried out in a special hot hardness rig in the same temperature range as that used in pin-on-disc tests. The results have shown that for a given load, the wear rate of boron steel decreased as the temperature increased, reaching its lowest value at 400°C at 50 N. In the case of the tool steel, it could be observed that at 200°C and above, the wear rate decreased as the load increased. This behaviour is consistent with the formation of a protective oxidised layer initiated at 100°C. At higher temperatures, such layers become more pronounced. The obtained data were finally used to construct a friction and wear mechanism map for this material pair that takes temperature and pressure into account.     

Tribological behaviours of PA/UHMWPE blend under dry and lubricating condition

Dry-sliding and lubricated friction and wear behaviours of polyamide (PA) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) blend were studied using a pin-on-disc method (polymer pin sliding against a stainless steel disc) at room environment. The tribological performance of PA and UHMWPE were also investigated for the purpose of comparison. The worn surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope. It was observed that PA specimen demonstrated highest friction coefficient, UHMWPE the lowest in both dry-sliding and lubricated sliding test. The friction of PA could be sufficiently decreased by blending with UHMWPE. Statistical analysis suggested the relationship between the wear volume loss and the sliding distance could be expressed by a linear model for dry-sliding, while a logarithmic model was determined for lubricated sliding. The difference in wear modes between both sliding series suggested that there was change in the mode of material removal process. The lower wear rate in lubricated sliding was attributed to the elastohydrodynamic or partial elastohydrodynamic lubrication through the development of a continuous lubricant film between the polymer and the counterface, while the high wear rate of the specimens, in dry-sliding test, was mainly caused by fatigue process due to the repeated action of tearing and crack-propagation.