A comparative investigation of the wear behavior of PTFE and PI under dry sliding and simulated sand-dust conditions

The wear behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyimide (PI) has been comparatively evaluated under dry sliding and simulated sand-dust conditions. An improved block-on-ring wear tester equipped with an attachment for simulating the sand-dust environment was used to evaluate the abrasive wear behavior of materials. The sand collected from the Yellow River of China was used to simulate the sand-dust environment, also different loads and sand-dust sizes were chosen for tribological tests. The two chosen polymers showed different wear behavior under sand-dust conditions and the wear rates of PTFE were much lower under sand-dust conditions than under dry sliding conditions. This was attributed to the formation of the tribolayer on the worn surfaces during the abrasive wear process. The sand-dust enhanced the wear resistance of PTFE, but reduced that of PI because, in contrast to PTFE, there was no tribolayer formed on the PI worn surface. The wear rate of PTFE increased under sand-dust conditions while the wear rate of PI decreased with the increase of applied load. The higher hardness of PI and fragmentation of abrasive particles under high loads accounted for the decrease in wear rate as load increased.     

Ultra-High Tribological Performance of Magnetron Sputtered a-C:H Films in Sand-Dust Environment

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films were prepared on AISI 440C steel substrates using a RF magnetron sputtering graphite target in the CH₄ and Ar mixture atmosphere. The friction and wear behavior of a-C:H films were comparatively investigated by pin-on-disc tester under dry sliding and simulated sand-dust wear conditions. In addition, the effects of applied load, amount of sand and sand particle sizes on the tribological performance of a-C:H films were systemically studied. Results show that a-C:H films exhibited ultra-high tribological performance with low friction coefficient and ultra-low wear rate under sand-dust environments. It is very interesting to observe that the friction coefficient of a-C:H film under sand-dust conditions was relatively lower when compared with dry sliding condition, and the wear rate under sand-dust conditions kept at the same order of magnitude (×10⁻¹⁹ m³/N m) with the increase of applied load and particle size as a comparison with the dry sliding condition. Based on the formation of “ridge” layer (composite transfer layer), a transfer layer-hardening composite model was established to explain the anti-wear mechanisms and friction-reducing capacity of a-C:H solid lubrication films under sand-dust conditions.     

聚四氟乙烯碳纤维增强双马来酰亚胺复合材料的摩擦学性能

研究了不同含量PTFE碳纤维增强双马来酰亚胺复合材料的力学和摩擦学性能,并分析了在干摩擦和水润滑条件下的磨损表面形貌和磨损机制。结果表明:添加质量分数10%~15%PTFE的复合材料体系机械性能最佳,随PTFE含量的增加,复合材料的摩擦因数下降,而磨损率呈上升趋势。水润滑下,摩擦因数和磨损率比干摩擦下都有相应的降低。干摩擦下,材料的磨损主要以塑性变形、微观破裂及破碎为主;水润滑下,这一机制明显减弱,主要表现为微切削形态。     

Investigation of Tribological Properties of PI/FEP Laminated Composites Under Dry Sliding, Water- and Oil-Lubricated Conditions

Polyimide/fluorinated ethylene propylene (PI/FEP) laminated composites were fabricated by means of hot-press molding. The friction and wear behavior of high performance PI/FEP laminated composites has been comparatively evaluated under dry sliding, water- and oil-lubricated conditions. The worn surface morphologies of samples under different lubrication conditions were examined by scanning electron microscope and the wear mechanisms were comparatively discussed. As the results, PI/FEP laminated composites sliding against stainless steel under water lubrication registered lower friction coefficients, but higher wear rates than those under dry sliding. The friction coefficients and wear rates of samples under liquid paraffin-lubricated condition were lowest in three sliding conditions. The lateral surface of samples exhibited better wear resistance than parallel surface did under dry sliding.     

Friction and wear properties of metal powder filled PTFE composites under oil lubricated conditions

Four kinds of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based composite, pure PTFE, PTFE+30vol.%Cu, PTFE+30vol.%Pb and PTFE+30vol.%Ni composite, were prepared. The friction and wear properties of these metal powder filled PTFE composites sliding against GCr15 bearing steel under both dry and lubricated conditions were studied using an MHK-500 ring-block wear tester. The worn surfaces of the PTFE composites and the transfer films formed on the surface of GCr15 bearing steel were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy respectively. Experimental results show that the friction and wear properties of the PTFE composites can be greatly improved by liquid paraffin lubrication. The wear of these PTFE composites can be decreased by at least 1 to 2 orders of magnitude compared with that under dry friction conditions, while the friction coefficients can be decreased by 1 order of magnitude, SEM and optical microscopy investigations of the rubbing surfaces show that metal fillers of Cu, Pb and Ni not only raise the load carrying capacity of the PTFE composites, but also promote transfer of the PTFE composites onto the counterfaces, so they greatly reduce the wear of the PTFE composites. However, the transfer of these PTFE composites onto the counterfaces can be greatly reduced by liquid paraffin lubrication, but transfer still takes place.     

Microstructure and Wear Behavior of a Manganese Bronze Bearing Material under Unlubricated Conditions

In an attempt to collect information about the tribological performance of copper-based bearings, the friction and wear behaviors of C86300 manganese bronze were investigated. The characteristics of the base material were determined by structural and mechanical investigations. Then, dry sliding pin-on-disc wear tests were performed against an AISI 52100 steel counterface. After the wear tests, the worn surfaces of the pins and wear debris were studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In addition, light optical microscopy and microhardness measurements were performed for examination of the steel counterfaces and worn pin subsurface layers. With increasing normal load, the wear rate of commercial C86300 alloy (containing 0.6 wt% Si) decreased initially and then began to increase. After reaching a maximum wear rate at the load of about 60 N, the wear rate decreased again with a further increase in the normal load. However, the wear rate of this C86300 alloy mainly decreased with increasing sliding speed. Adhesive and abrasive wear were the dominant wear mechanisms under the designed conditions.     

PTFE基复合材料海水润滑下的摩擦学性能研究

研究碳纤维/聚四氟乙烯（CF/PTFE）、玻璃纤维/聚四氟乙烯（GF/PTFE）复合材料与氮化硅陶瓷配副在海水环境下的摩擦学性能与润滑机制,分析滑动速度对摩擦副海水润滑性能的影响规律。结果表明：在海水润滑条件下,随着滑动速度的增加,PTFE、CF/PTFE、GF/PTFE材料与Si3N4陶瓷配副时的摩擦学性能均有明显改善,摩擦因数与磨损率均呈显著降低的趋势,其中CF/PTFE复合材料表现出更为优异的摩擦学性能,在1 000 r/min滑动速度下摩擦因数低至0.026。磨损表面表征结果表明,在海水润滑条件下,PTFE基复合材料在摩擦过程中由于摩擦化学反应生成了润滑膜,可为摩擦副提供良好的润滑和减磨作用,从而减少摩擦磨损行为的发生。     

Friction and wear properties of UHMWPE/Al2O3 ceramic under different lubricating conditions

Friction and wear behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sliding against Al₂O₃ ceramic under dry sliding, and lubrication of fresh plasma, distilled water and physiological saline were investigated with a self-made pin-on-disk apparatus at 37±1°C. The worn surfaces were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the friction behavior of UHMWPE is very sensitive to its water absorption state. The wear rate of UHMWPE under dry sliding is the highest and under plasma lubrication is the lowest. The wear mechanisms are different under dry friction and various lubricating conditions.     

Adhesive wear and frictional characteristics of UHMWPE and HDPE sliding against different counterfaces under dry contact condition

Abstract

The current work evaluates the wear and frictional performance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) sliding against different metal counterfaces, stainless steel(SS), mild steel (MS) and aluminium (Al), under dry contact condition. The experiments were conducted using pin on disc machine at different sliding distances (0–40·32 km), 15 N applied load and 2·8 m s^–1 sliding velocity. Interface temperatures and frictional forces were measured simultaneously during the sliding, while specific wear rates were determined for every 1·68 km sliding distance. Based on the optical microscopy of the worn surface and wear track, frictional and wear results were analysed and discussed. The experimental results showed that the type of counterface material significantly influences both frictional and wear performances of the selected polymers. This was mainly due to the film transfer characteristics. Higher temperature and friction coefficient for UHMWPE and HDPE were evident when sliding took place against Al counterface. Sliding the polymers against stainless steel showed low friction coefficients compared to other counterfaces.     

Microstructure of PTFE-Based Polymer Blends and Their Tribological Behaviors Under Aqueous Environment

Four polytetrafluoroethylene-based polymer blends (PTFE blends) with polyimide (PI), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), poly(phenyl p-hydroxybenzoate) (PHBA), and perfluoroethylene propylene copolymer (FEP) were prepared by compression molding and follow-up sintering. Their microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope. And the tribological behaviors of PTFE blends sliding against 316 steel under pure water and sea water lubrication were comparatively evaluated using block-on-ring tribology test rig. The worn surface of counterpart was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that by blending with the four polymers, PTFE exhibited the transformed microstructure and improved wear resistance. Compared with FEP, rigid polymers PI, PHBA, and PEEK can enhance the wear resistance of PTFE greatly because they can effectively improve the load-carrying capacity of PTFE matrix and can more efficiently prevent the crystalline bands of PTFE from being pulled out. However, because of the weak inhibition on the pulling out of PTFE crystalline bands, FEP cannot enhance the wear resistance of PTFE as significantly as other polymers. In addition, the friction coefficients and wear rates of PTFE and its blends were lower under the lubrication of sea water than under the lubrication of pure water, which was ascribed to more excellent lubricating effect of sea water originating from the deposition of CaCO₃ and Mg(OH)₂ onto the sliding surfaces.     

Effect of counterface on the tribology of UHMWPE in the presence of proteins

Artificial joints in orthopedics occupy a principal position owing to the increase in number of cases suffering from arthritis and associated diseases in addition to impairment caused by accidents. In this work, one of the most commonly used joint material, i.e. ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), was tested against the duplex stainless steels instead of the conventional 316 L stainless steel. The UHMWPE was found to exhibit the lowest friction coefficient and wear rates when lubricated with water followed by globulin and glucose. The friction coefficient in the presence of egg albumen was higher along with high wear rates recorded. Post-test evaluation of surface roughness and wear scar/track analysis was performed to identify the wear mechanisms. Worn surfaces were analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter for changes in crystallinity with sliding. The specimens tested under lubricated conditions with glucose, egg albumen and globulin indicated the presence of reaction products on the worn surface. Adhesive and corrosive wear mechanisms were the predominant modes of wear identified on the polymer samples. The wear tracks indicated that the proteins did react with the counterface material forming a thin deposit on them. Low temperature nitriding of the duplex stainless steel counterfaces were performed and the UHMWPE specimens were tested under similar conditions against the nitrided surfaces. Low temperature nitriding of the counterface did result in improved tribological behavior of UHMWPE and the corrosive effects were minimal.     

聚四氟乙烯复合材料的摩擦学二次转移行为研究

采用冷压成型、自由烧结工艺分别制备了青铜粉、聚酰亚胺、二硫化钼和石墨填充改性的聚四氟乙烯复合材料,在改装的M-2000型摩擦磨损试验机上考察了材料的二次转移摩擦学性能;用扫描电子显微镜对磨损表面进行观察和分析。结果表明:增加载荷有利于提高转移膜与基底的结合强度;填料种类对PTFE复合材料二次转移膜的摩擦学性能有影响,在本实验条件下(干摩擦、室温、滑动速度为0.42m/s、接触载荷为30N),以PTFE复合材料作为润滑剂提供源使用时,PTFE/MoS2、PTFE/Graphite复合材料形成的二次转移膜最好,PTFE/Bronze复合材料二次转移膜次之,PTFE/PI复合材料形成二次转移膜的能力最差。     

青铜-石墨热喷涂层在干摩擦和水润滑条件下的摩擦磨损性能

在MM-200摩擦磨损试验机上研究了青铜-石墨热喷涂层在干摩擦和水润滑条件下的摩擦磨损性能,采用扫描电镜(SEM)对磨损表面形貌进行了观测和采用X射线能谱分析(XPS)分析了涂层成分。结果表明,在水润滑条件下涂层摩擦因数和磨损率均低于干摩擦条件下;在水润滑条件下磨损机制为轻微磨粒磨损和犁削磨损,在干摩擦下主要是较为严重的粘着磨损和犁削。这是由于水润滑降低了摩擦副界面温度,提高了石墨润滑膜的韧性,改善了润滑效果,从而阻止了粘着磨损的发生,水还促进了钢偶件表面致密氧化膜的形成,从而减轻磨损。因此水润滑对涂层磨损性能有较大影响。     

Tribological Behaviors of Hybrid PTFE/Nomex Fabric/Phenolic Composite under Dry and Water-Bathed Sliding Conditions

The tribological behaviors of hybrid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Nomex fabric/phenolic composite under dry sliding condition and water-bathed sliding conditions were investigated using a pin-on-disk type tribometer. The results showed that this hybrid fabric reinforced composite exhibited a higher wear rate and a lower friction coefficient under water-bathed sliding conditions compared to that measured under dry sliding condition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated that under water-bathed sliding conditions the transfer films formed on the counterpart pins surface were of high roughness and less PTFE transferred onto the pin surface, compared to that under dry sliding condition. Moreover, the hybrid fabric composite displayed varied tribological behaviors when distilled water-bathed sliding condition and seawater-bathed sliding condition were applied separately.     

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.     

Effect of UHMWPE Microparticles on the Tribological Performances of High-Strength Glass Fabric/Phenolic Laminate Composites Under Water Lubrication

The tribological behaviors of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) microparticle-modified high-strength glass fabric/phenolic laminate composites sliding against stainless steel under water lubrication have been investigated. Results showed that the incorporation of UHMWPE microparticles, especially at the mass fraction of 5.0 %, improved the wear resistance of the laminate composite to a significant extent, because UHMWPE microparticle can effectively absorb and dissipate the friction energy through a plastic deformation during the formation of the regular ripple-like abrasion patterns on its worn surface. During the sliding process, after the phenolic resin was firstly worn off, UHMWPE microparticles with much better wear resistance were protruded from the worn surface of the laminate composite, leading to a fundamental change in the contact status of the matched surfaces from rigid resin and fibers/steel to flexible UHMWPE/steel. As a result, low and steady friction coefficient was obtained due to good adaptability of UHMWPE to water lubrication.     

Microstructure and tribological properties of Al-Pb alloy modified by high current pulsed electron beam

In the present work, Al-Pb alloy was irradiated by high current pulsed electron beam. X-ray diffractometer, electronic probe microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy and Knoop hardness indentation were used to characterize the microstructure and mechanical property of Al-Pb alloy. The results show that the microstructure and mechanical property can be greatly improved. The tribological properties of high current pulsed electron beam irradiated Al-Pb alloy were investigated under dry sliding conditions using a pin-on-disc type wear testing machine. The overlapped zone beneath the melted zone exhibits good resistance to wear. Optical observation and scanning electron microscopy analysis reveal that the low wear rate and lowest level in coefficient of friction at high load level for irradiated Al-Pb alloy are due to a lubricious tribolayer covering almost the entire worn surface. The wear mode varies from oxidative wear at low load to film spalling at high load and, finally, adhesive wear.     

UHMWPE基水润滑轴承摩擦及润滑特性的试验研究

针对纤维填料改性UHMWPE水润滑轴承的摩擦磨损性能进行研究。在平面摩擦磨损试验机上对玻璃纤维及碳纤维填料对UHMWPE复合材料摩擦性能进行试验,并分析GF-CF-UHMWPE材料与Thordon SXL材料在干摩擦、水润滑工况下的摩擦因数及磨损量。最后,采用径向水润滑轴承试验台对比研究了GF-CF-UHMWPE轴承和Thordon SXL轴承在不同载荷下摩擦因数随转速的变化规律。结果表明:纤维填料能显著增强UHMWPE的减摩性和耐磨性,GF-CF-UHMWPE材料具有更好的耐温性能,线性热膨胀系数也显著减小;GF-CF-UHMWPE轴承具有相同载荷下启动转速低,启动摩擦因数小的特性。     

Friction and Wear Behavior of CF/PTFE Composites Lubricated by Choline Chloride Ionic Liquids

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) as lubricants has received increasing attention in recent years. The use of ILs, however, is limited by the corrosion problem and their potential toxic property. Here we present the results of our initial study on the tribological properties of carbon fiber (CF)-filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites, which have an excellent chemical resistance property, lubricated by choline chloride ILs. The difference between choline chloride ILs and water and hydraulic oil as lubricants was studied at the same time, as was the effect of the anion on the lubricating property of choline chloride ILs. The worn surface and transfer film of CF/PTFE composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicate that the lubricating property of choline chloride ILs is much better than that of water and hydraulic oil. The friction coefficient and wear rate of CF/PTFE composites lubricated with ILs were approximately 60 and 50 % lower than those under the dry friction condition. Among the three kinds of ILs tested, the best tribological properties of the CF/PTFE composites were found for those sliding in the mixture of 1,2-propanediol and choline chloride. The worn surface and transfer film of CF/PTFE composites were also much smoother than those under the dry friction, water lubrication, and hydraulic oil lubrication conditions.     

Friction and Wear Behavior of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Sliding Against GCr15 Steel and Electroless Ni–P Alloy Coating Under the Lubrication of Seawater

The friction and wear behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sliding against GCr15 steel and electroless Ni-P alloy coating under the lubrication of seawater was investigated and compared with that under dry sliding and lubrication of pure water and 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, respectively. It was found that under the lubrication of aqueous medium, the friction and wear behavior of UHMWPE mainly depended on the corrosion of counterface and the lubricating effect of the medium. Because of serious corrosion of counterface by the medium, the wear rates of UHMWPE sliding against GCr15 under the lubrication of seawater and NaCl solution were much larger than that under other conditions, and such a kind of wear closely related to the corrosion of counterface can be reckoned as indirect corrosive wear. However, when sliding against corrosion-resistant Ni–P alloy under the lubrication of seawater, the lowest coefficient of friction and wear rate of UHMWPE were obtained, owing to superior lubricating effect of seawater. Moreover, periodic ripple patterns were observed on the worn surfaces of UHMWPE sliding against GCr15 under the lubrication of seawater and NaCl solution, which were ascribed to the intelligent reconstruction of surface microstructure of UHMWPE upon large plowing effect of the counterface asperities. Based on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and three-dimensional (3D) profile analyses of the worn surfaces of UHMWPE, a stick–slip dynamic mechanism was proposed to illustrate the pattern abrasion of UHMWPE. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.