A correlation between the tribological and mechanical properties of short carbon fibers reinforced PEEK materials with different fiber orientations

In this work the effect of fiber orientation on the mechanical and tribological properties of SCF (short carbon fibers)/PTFE (poly-tetra-fluor-ethylene)/graphite filled PEEK (poly-ether-ether-keton) composites was studied. The composites were manufactured by using injection molding technique. Mechanical and tribological experiments were conducted to measure the compression modulus, compression strength and wear resistance. A correlation of the tribological and mechanical properties considering different fiber orientations was studied. Additionally to the fiber orientation influence, the wear resistance under low and high pressures was examined. The results analyses, based on scratch experiments and scanning electron microscope (SEM) inspections explain how the fiber orientation influences the mechanical performance and the tribological properties of the considered materials.     

石墨填充聚四氟乙烯基复合材料的摩擦学性能

为了研制PTFE基粘弹-摩擦型阻尼材料,采用机械共混-冷压成型-烧结的工艺制备了石墨、聚苯硫醚、聚醚醚酮混合填充PTFE基复合材料,利用环-块式磨损试验机,在干摩擦条件下考察了复合材料的摩擦学性能,并用扫描电镜观察了磨损表面形貌,研究了复合材料的磨损机制。结果表明:PTFE含量不同的复合材料,随石墨填充量的增大,摩擦因数和磨损率的变化趋势不同,磨损主要由犁削、粘着和疲劳剥落中的一种或几种引起;适当配比的PTFE基复合材料具有较好的摩擦阻尼性能,能够满足粘弹-摩擦阻尼材料的要求。     

Morphologies of the wear debris of polyetheretherketone produced under dry sliding conditions: Correlation with wear mechanisms

Wear debris contains extensive information on the tribological behaviours of materials [M.Q. Zhang, Z.P. Lu, K. Friedrich, On the wear debris of polyetheretherketone: fractal dimensions in relation to wear mechanisms, Tribol. Int. 30 (1997) 87–102]. Investigations on wear debris morphology will be helpful for understanding materials’ friction and wear processes. In this work, the wear debris obtained from block-on-ring (BOR) tests of three polyetheretherketones (PEEKs) with different molecular weights was studied. The mechanical properties of the three PEEKs were characterized in a previous work [G. Zhang, A.K. Schlarb, Correlation of the tribological behaviors with the mechanical properties of poly-ether-ether-ketones (PEEKs) with different molecular weights and their fiber filled composites, Wear, 2008, in press]. In this work, the influences of the mechanical properties of PEEKs and apparent pressure on wear debris morphology were studied. Based on analyzing wear debris morphologies, possibly involved tribological mechanisms were discussed. The results indicate that the tribological mechanisms have a close relationship with the morphology of the wear debris. Under low pressures, particle-like wear debris suggests that the micro-cutting effect exerted by the protruding regions of the counterpart dominates the tribological behaviour. Under high pressures, rod-like, bamboo-raft-like and film-like debris were noticed. This fact suggests that the transferring of PEEK to the counterpart and the plastic flow occurring in the PEEK surface layer play important roles on material loss.     

Synergetic Effect of Lubricant Additive and Reinforcement Additive on the Tribological Behaviors of PEEK-Based Composites under Seawater Lubrication

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-based composites reinforced with lubricant additive (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) and reinforcement additives including carbon fiber (CF), glass fiber (GF), and bronze powder were prepared using a hot-press molding technique. The synergetic effects of different additives on the tribological behaviors of PEEK-based composites sliding against 316 steel under seawater lubrication were investigated systematically using a ring-on-block test rig. The results showed that lubricant additive PTFE can decrease the friction coefficient and consequently improved the wear resistance of PEEK under seawater lubrication, especially when the volume fraction of PTFE was about 20%. It was also found that the incorporation of CF can further improve the wear resistance of PEEK blended with 20% PTFE, especially under high load and high sliding speed. This suggested that a synergistic effect on improving the wear resistance of PEEK existed between PTFE and CF, which originated from good lubrication of PTFE, good reinforcement of CF, and good interfacial combination between CF and PEEK-20%PTFE. However, two other reinforcement additives of GF and bronze powder had an antagonistic effect but not a synergetic effect with PTFE; that is, the incorporation of the two additives greatly deteriorated the wear resistance of PEEK blended with 20% PTFE.     

Tribological Behavior of PTFE Composites Filled with PEEK and Nano-Al2O3

In this study, the tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and nano-Al₂O₃ particles were studied using a block-on-ring wear tester. The tribological performance of the composites was affected by the experimental parameters (sliding speed, normal load, and environmental temperature) and the composites achieved a high-speed sliding friction state. The results showed that the PEEK and nano-Al₂O₃ particles significantly improved the wear resistance of the PTFE composites. In addition, the nano-Al₂O₃ particles increased the hardness of the composites and enhanced the mechanical properties to enable applications in a wider range of industrial fields. The effects of the sliding speed and normal load on the tribological properties were more significant than that of the environmental temperature. In addition, the entire wear process was divided into three stages (the initial wear stage, severe wear transition stage, and ultralow stable wear stage), according to the evolution of the tribological characteristics (wear rate, morphology of the worn surface and transfer film, and wear debris morphology).     

短玻璃纤维和石墨填充PTFE的摩擦磨损特性研究

利用自主研制的往复式摩擦试验机对短玻璃纤维(SGF)及石墨填充聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)复合材料的摩擦磨损特性进行了研究,探讨了共混材料对PTFE摩擦学性能的影响。利用扫描电子显微镜对材料的磨损表面进行了观察和分析。研究结果表明,短玻璃纤维有效提高了PTFE的承载能力,石墨的加入起到了减小摩擦的作用,在较高载荷下,短玻璃纤维和石墨填充的PTFE复合材料表现出优异的抗磨性能。     

Self-Lubricating PTFE-Based Composites with Black Phosphorus Nanosheets

Black phosphorus (BP), a newly emerging two-dimensional material, has recently received considerable attention. Our recent work suggested that BP nanosheets exhibit extraordinary mechanical and lubrication properties. In the present work, the tribological properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and carbon fiber (CF)/PTFE composites with BP nanosheets have been investigated. The morphologies and surface element distribution of the worn tracks of the tribopair surfaces were examined by different analytical techniques. The results show that the coefficients of friction (COFs) of both the PEEK/PTFE and CF/PTFE composites decreased dramatically after the addition of BP nanosheets, and the minimum COF of the composite was 0.04, which was a quarter of that of the PTFE composite without BP nanosheets. After BP nanosheets were added into the composites, the wear rate of the PTFE/PEEK composite decreased dramatically, while that of the CF/PTFE composite increased significantly with the increase in the filler concentration. The analysis of the lubrication mechanism of the PTFE composite with BP nanosheets suggested that BP nanosheets could be constantly supplied into the contact area and gradually formed a BP film composed of phosphorus oxide and phosphoric acid on the counterpart surface instead of the formation of PTFE transfer film. The formed BP transfer film promoted the friction reduction and the disappearance of the adhesive wear.     

Tribological properties of high temperature resistant polymer composites with fine particles

The tribological properties of two kinds of high temperature resistant thermoplastic composites, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI), reinforced with short carbon fibre (SCF), graphite flakes, and sub-micro particles of TiO₂ and ZnS, were investigated in dry sliding conditions. Friction and wear experiments were conducted on a pin-on-disc apparatus, using composite pins against polished steel counterparts, performed within moderate pv-ranges at room and elevated temperatures (up to 150 °C). It was found that conventional fillers, i.e. SCF and graphite flakes, could effectively enhance both the wear resistance and the load-carrying capacity of the base polymers. With the addition of sub-micro particles, the frictional coefficient and wear rate of the composites were further reduced especially at elevated temperatures. On the basis of microscopic observation of worn surfaces, dominant wear mechanisms are discussed.     

Tribological Behaviour of Polymeric Coatings: II. SCF‐Reinforced PEEK Nanocomposite Systems

This paper focuses on coatings based on poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) applied to metal substrates and their tribological investigation. Short carbon fibres (SCF), graphite, and 300 nm titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) particles were used as filler materials for the PEEK. These filler materials and their combinations were found to have a significant influence on the tribological behaviour of the corresponding PEEK compounds. One of the compounds (PEEK6) was found, especially at higher temperatures and under higher normal loads, to be a good coating material showing superior tribological behaviour. For PEEK6, a specific wear rate and a coefficient of friction (COF) lower than those for the best commercially available PEEK compound (PEEK4) were measured. For specific test parameters, PEEK6 showed a COF of less than 0.1. The tribological results were also compared with those of a conventional sliding bearing material based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF).     

氧化锌晶须/聚醚砜复合材料的制备及摩擦学性能研究

采用机械共混-模压成型方法制备了ZnOw/PTFE/PES复合材料,通过摩擦磨损实验方法对材料的摩擦学性能进行了研究,并用SEM对磨损表面进行了观察和分析,探讨了复合材料的磨损机制。结果表明:用机械共混-模压法能制得摩擦学性能优良的ZnOw/PTFE/PES复合材料;随着ZnOw含量的增加,复合材料的磨损机制由黏着磨损及疲劳磨损、轻微的黏着磨损向磨粒磨损及疲劳磨损的转变。     

Tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites: III. Characteristics of transfer films

The multiple parts of this study are intended to experimentally and analytically elaborate the tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites, reinforced by short carbon fibres (SCF), nano-TiO₂ particles, polytetrafluorethylen (PTFE) powders and graphite flakes, in order to understand the role of fillers in modifying the wear behaviour of the materials. In this part, the influences of two solid lubricants, PTFE and graphite, were studied and compared. The transfer films established with two lubricants in sliding wear of epoxy nanocomposites against metallic counterparts were characterised under different sliding conditions. The morphology of transfer films was examined using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), while their mechanical properties were investigated using micro-hardness tests. A method was proposed to determine the thickness of transfer films based on micro-indentation. The role of transfer films in dissipation of frictional heating was also studied. Epoxy nanocomposites containing both PTFE powders and graphite flakes showed a synergised effect in wear performance, especially under very severe wear conditions.     

PTFE复合材料的摩擦磨损性能研究

用机械共混、冷压成型烧结的方法制备了纳米SiO2/石墨/玻璃纤维/PTFE复合材料试样。用MM-200型磨损试验机测试了在干摩擦条件下不同载荷时各试样的摩擦磨损性能;用扫描电镜对磨损后试件表面进行观察和分析。研究结果表明：纳米SiO2和玻璃纤维有效提高了PTFE的承载能力,石墨的加入起到了减小摩擦的作用;在本试验条件下,在摩擦过程中三元混合填充PTFE复合材料在偶件表面形成了转移膜,减少了复合材料与偶件的直接接触,因而表现出优异的抗磨性。     

Comparative Study on Tribological Behaviors of Polyetheretherketone Composite Reinforced with Carbon Fiber and Polytetrafluoroethylene Under Water-Lubricated and Dry-Sliding Against Stainless Steel

The tribological behaviors of the composites of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) reinforced by carbon fiber and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) under distilled-water-lubricated- and dry-sliding against stainless steel were investigated. It was found that the PEEK composite had much better wear-resistance under water-lubricated sliding against stainless steel than under dry-sliding. The transfer film had smaller effect on the tribological behavior of PEEK composite under water-lubricated condition than under dry-sliding, because under water-lubricated condition the cooling and boundary lubricating effects of the water medium dominated the tribological behavior. Moreover, the considerably hindered transfer of the PEEK composite under water lubrication might also account for the decreased wear rate under water lubrication. The PEEK composite was characterized by mild scuffing and fiber protruding under water lubrication, while the plastic deformation and adhesion was significantly abated than under dry-sliding.     

Effect of temperature on the friction and wear of heat-resistant polymer-based composites

The friction and wear of polyether sulphone (PES: ‘Victrex’-ICI), polyether etherketone (PEEK: ICI), polyamide-imide (PAI: Torlon'-Amoco) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites were measured at a constant sliding speed and under a constant load at various temperatures up to 300 °C by rubbing against a steel disc. The frictions of the composites, except for some PAI composites, were generally little dependent upon temperature over a wide range of temperature. PTFE filler was effective in reducing the wear of composites at high temperatures. However, the addition of various fibres to the composites was not effective at high temperatures. The wear of PAI composites increased rapidly with increasing temperature and thus their temperature variations were considerably greater than those of the other composites. The wear of PTFE containing ‘Econol’ E–1 OI, a polyoxybenzylene nomo-polymer (Sumitomo Chemical Co.) and graphite was similar to that of the PEEK composite containing PTFE, and their wear rates were remarkably low over a wide range of temperature. The wear-reducing mechanisms of PTFE and ‘Econol’ fillers are discussed on the basis of microscopic examinations of the frictional surfaces.     

Tribological Characterization of Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester–PTFE Blends in Air Conditioning Compressor Environment

The tribological behavior of a wide range of compositions using blends of aromatic thermosetting polyester (ATSP) with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been investigated. PTFE was chosen as the blending material because of its low coefficient of friction and good performance at high temperatures and resistance to chemicals. ATSP blends were used to specifically combat some of the shortcomings of PTFE like its extremely low wear resistance and poor mechanical properties, and special processing requirements due to its high melt viscosity. Controlled tribological experiments simulating an air conditioning compressor operating with R134a refrigerant under realistic operating conditions were carried out with different ATSP/PTFE compositions, as well as four different state-of-the-art commercially available composites containing carbon fibers, graphite and PTFE. It was found that the newly synthesized composites exhibited superb tribological characteristics as far as low friction and low wear were concerned. The wear performance of PTFE was greatly improved, while it was shown that greater amounts of ATSP used in the blend lead to lower wear and the amount of ATSP did not significantly alter the friction coefficient. Material transfer and development of a weak film on the disk surface was observed, especially for the blends with higher PTFE content.     

Comparative investigation on the tribological behaviors of CF/PEEK composites under sea water lubrication

Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites were prepared and their tribological behaviors under sea water lubrication were comparatively investigated. The results showed that the incorporation of CF can greatly improve the wear resistance of PEEK under sea water lubrication, especially when the volume fraction of CF was about 10%, because exposed CF can effectively share the main load between the contact surfaces and consequently protect the matrix from severe wear. In addition, CF/PEEK had better friction and wear properties under sea water lubrication than under dry friction and pure water lubrication due to better lubricating effect of sea water.     

聚合物填充聚四氟乙烯复合材料的摩擦磨损性能

采用机械共混-冷压成型-烧结的工艺制备了PEEK、PPS填充PTFE基粘弹．摩擦型阻尼材料，用环-块式磨损试验机研究了在干摩擦条件下的摩擦磨损性能；用扫描电子显微镜观察磨损表面形貌和内部组织结构。结果表明：混合填充PEEK和PPS时，2种填充物的比例对材料的摩擦因数影响不大，当二者含量相近时，摩擦因数最大；填充物对磨损性能的影响与对摩擦因数的相同；随着PEEK含量的增加和PPS含量的减少，材料的磨损方式由疲劳剥落磨损为主转变为犁削、粘着磨损；PTFE含量的增加，使得复合材料的摩擦因数减小，而磨损有所增大。综合考虑认为，PTFE与适当比例的PEEK／PPS混合填充，具有合适的摩擦因数和较好的耐磨性，能够满足特殊工况下阻尼材料的需要。     

PEEK基自润滑复合材料的摩擦学研究和应用

聚醚醚酮(PEEK)基自润滑复合材料具有摩擦因数低、耐磨性好等特点,可以在无润滑、高温、潮湿、污染、腐蚀等恶劣环境下使用。本文综述了对聚醚醚酮(PEEK)基复合材料摩擦学研究的新进展,讨论了纤维增强、无机填充、有机共混改性以及温度、对偶和介质、固体润滑剂等对PEEK基复合材料摩擦学性能的影响,介绍了PEEK基复合材料在人工关节假体材料方面的应用,指出PEEK摩擦复合材料今后的研究方向,以期扩大PEEK复合材料的摩擦学工程应用。     

表面改性硅灰石纤维填充PTFE复合材料的摩擦学性能

用KH550硅烷偶联剂表面改性的硅灰石纤维(WF)填充PTFE,在MPX-2000型磨损试验机上研究复合材料的摩擦磨损性能,并与经典的炭纤维(CF)填充PTFE复合材料进行比较。采用SEM对磨损面和对偶面进行分析。结果表明:较高载荷(200和300 N)下复合材料摩擦因数随WF含量变化的幅度不大,较稳定地维持在较低值;细小尺寸WF填充PTFE复合材料的耐磨性能较好,在WF质量分数为10%时,复合材料的磨损量只有相同含量CF填充PT-FE复合材料的81%;细小尺寸WF填充PTFE复合材料的磨损面较为平整,存在轻微黏着磨损,其对偶面转移膜平整光滑、结构致密;而CF/PTFE复合材料磨损面存在许多裸露和碎断的CF,犁削和磨粒磨损是主要的磨损形式。     

Sliding wear behaviour of PEEK‐PTFE blends

The role of PTFE in tailoring the tribological performance of PEEK is not clear from the literature, and conflicting evidence is reported about its ability to improve friction, wear, or both. Moreover, little has been reported on the optimum composition of such blends for the best possible combination of mechanical and tribological properties. Hence, in this work various blends of PEEK with PTFE have been injection moulded and characterised for their mechanical properties. Their friction and wear behaviour was evaluated using a pin‐on‐disc machine. It was observed that the inclusion of PTFE powder not only removed scuffing problems associated with the friction behaviour of PEEK, but also improved both friction and wear characteristics. A blend with 7.5 wt. % PTFE showed the best wear behaviour, while a blend with 30 wt.% PTFE exhibited the best friction performance. A concentration of 7.5 wt. % PTFE was thought to be the optimum amount for the best possible combination of mechanical and tribological properties.