A study on friction and wear characteristics of nanometer Al2O3 /PEEK composites under the dry sliding condition

The friction and wear properties of the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) based composites filled with 5 mass% nanometer or micron Al₂O₃ with or without 10 mass% polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) against the medium carbon steel (AISI 1045 steel) ring under the dry sliding condition at Amsler wear tester were examined. A constant sliding velocity of 0.42 m s⁻¹ and a load of 196 N were used in all experiments. The average diameter 250 μm PEEK powders, the 15 or 90 nm Al₂O₃ nano-particles or 500 nm Al₂O₃ particles and/or the PTFE fine powders of diameter 50 μm were mechanically mixed in alcohol, and then the block composite specimens were prepared by the heat compression moulding. The homogeneously dispersion of the Al₂O₃ nano-particles in PEEK matrix of the prepared composites was analyzed by the atomic force microscopy (AFM). The wear testing results showed that nanometer and micron Al₂O₃ reduced the wear coefficient of PEEK composites without PTFE effectively, but not reduced the friction coefficient. The filling of 10 mass% PTFE into pure PEEK resulted in a decrease of the friction coefficient and the wear coefficient of the filled composite simultaneously. However, when 10 mass% PTFE was filled into Al₂O₃/ PEEK composites, the friction coefficient was decreased and the wear coefficient increased. The worn scars on the tested composite specimen surfaces and steel ring surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A thin, uniform, and tenacious transferred film on the surface of the steel rings against the PEEK composites filled with 5 mass% 15 nm Al₂O₃ particles but without PTFE was formed. The components of the transferred films were detected by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results indicated that the nanometer Al₂O₃ as the filler, together with PEEK matrix, transferred to the counterpart ring surface during the sliding friction and wear. Therefore, the ability of Al₂O₃ to improve the wear resistant behaviors is closely related to the ability to improve the characteristics of the transfer film.     

Tribological Properties of Muscovite/La2O3 Composite Powders as Lubricant Additives

Muscovite/La₂O₃ composite powders were prepared by ball-milling solid-state chemical reaction at room temperature. The phase composition and micromorphology of the composite powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The tribological properties of different samples were tested and compared using four-ball wear testing on an MMW-1A multifunctional friction and wear testing machine. The SEM micrography and energy spectrum of the composite powders illustrated that La₂O₃ particles were coated on the surface of muscovite particles. The results of the friction tests indicated that lubrication oil with muscovite/La₂O₃ composite powders presents better friction reducing and antiwear properties than that of the base oil, and the friction coefficients and diameters of wear scars decreased by 47.6 and 11.2% using 500SN base oil with 0.6g/L of muscovite/La₂O₃ composite powders as additives, respectively. The composite powders with 5 wt% La₂O₃ present the best comprehensive tribological properties. The micromorphology and chemical composition of the worn surface were analyzed by SEM and EDX, which confirm that the composite powders directly participate in the complicated physicochemical process of reactions on the worn surfaces, therefore improving the tribological properties of the base oil.     

Study on the tribological behavior of hybrid PTFE/cotton fabric composites filled with Sb2O3 and melamine cyanurate

The tribological behavior of the hybrid PTFE/cotton fabric composites filled with microsize Sb₂O₃ and melamine cyanurate (MCA) was investigated. It was found that the wear rate of the hybrid PTFE/cotton fabric composites decreased when Sb₂O₃ was used as the filler but increased with MCA filler. It was also observed that hybrid fillers (consists of Sb₂O₃ and MCA) had a wear reduction effect on the hybrid PTFE/cotton fabric composites at lower loads but increased the wear rate at higher loads. The wear behavior of the composites was explained in terms of the topography of worn surfaces and transfer film formed on the counterpart pin.     

A Study on the Sliding Wear of Hybrid PTFE/Kevlar Fabric/Phenolic Composites Filled with Nanoparticles of TiO2 and SiO2

TiO₂ and SiO₂ nanoparticles were introduced into hybrid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Kevlar fabric/phenolic composites. The results showed the incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles can reduce the wear rate of the fabric/phenolic composite at elevated temperatures, although the wear of hybrid PTFE/Kevlar fabric/phenolic composite did not change much when TiO₂ or SiO₂ nanoparticles were used as filler. The wear behavior was explained in terms of morphology of transfer films and worn surfaces. There was a good correlation between the morphology of transfer film and wear results.     

The effect of Al2O3 on the friction performance of automotive brake friction materials

This study consists of two stages. In the first stage, bronze-based break linings were produced and friction-wear properties of them were investigated. In the second stage, 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4% alumina (Al₂O₃) powders were added to the bronze-based powders and Al₂O₃ reinforced bronze-based break linings were produced. Friction–wear properties of the Al₂O₃ reinforced samples were aslo investigated and compared to those of plain bronze-based ones. For this purpose, friction coefficient and wear behaviour of the samples were tested on the grey cast iron disc. The hardness and density of the samples were also determined. Microstructures of the samples before and after the sintering and the worn surfaces of the wear specimens were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The sample compacted at 350 MPa and sintered at 820 °C exhibited the optimum friction–wear behaviour. With increase in friction surface temperature, a reduction in the friction coefficient of the samples was observed. The lowest reduction in the friction coefficient with increasing temperature was for the 2% and 4% Al₂O₃ reinforced samples. The SEM images of the sample indicated that increase in Al₂O₃ content resulted in adhesive wear. With increase in Al₂O₃ content, a reduction in mass loss of the samples was also observed. Overall, the samples reinforced with 2% and 4% Al₂O₃ exhibited the best results.     

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).     

Tribological properties of ZrO2 (Y2O3)-Mo-BaF2/CaF2 composites at high temperatures

ZrO₂ (Y₂O₃) with different contents of BaF₂/CaF₂ and Mo were fabricated by hot pressed sintering, and the tribological behavior of the composites against SiC ceramic was investigated from room temperature to 1000 °C. It was found that the ZrO₂ (Y₂O₃)-5BaF₂/CaF₂-10Mo composite possessed excellent self-lubricating and anti-wear properties. The low friction and wear were attributed to enhanced matrix and BaMoO₄ formed on the worn surfaces.     

Sliding wear characteristics of plasma-sprayed Al2O3 and Cr2O3 coatings against copper alloy under severe conditions

Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying and their tribological properties dry sliding against copper alloy were evaluated using a block-on-ring configuration at room temperature. It was found that the wear resistance of Al₂O₃ coating was superior to that of the Cr₂O₃ coating under the conditions used in the present study. This mainly attributed to its better thermal conductivity of Al₂O₃ coating, which was considered to effectively facilitate the dissipation of tribological heat and alleviate the reduction of hardness due to the accumulated tribological heat. As for the Al₂O₃ coating, the wear mechanism was plastic deformation along with some micro-abrasion and fatigue-induced brittle fracture, while the failure of Cr₂O₃ coating was predominantly the crack propagation-induced detachment of transferred films and splats spallation.     

Nano/Microtribological Properties of Ultrathin Functionalized Imidazolium Wear-Resistant Ionic Liquid Films on Single Crystal Silicon

Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered as a new kind of lubricant for micro/nanoelectromechanical system (M/NEMS) due to their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. However, so far, only few reports have investigated the tribological behavior of molecular thin films of various ILs. Evaluating the nanoscale tribological performance of ILs when applied as a few nanometers-thick film on a substrate is a critical step for their application in MEMS/NEMS devices. To this end, four kinds of ionic liquid carrying methyl, hydroxyl, nitrile, and carboxyl group were synthesized and these molecular thin films were prepared on single crystal silicon wafer by dip-coating method. Film thickness was determined by ellipsometric method. The chemical composition and morphology were characterized by the means of multi-technique X-ray photoelectron spectrometric analysis, and atomic force microscopic (AFM) analysis, respectively. The nano- and microtribological properties of the ionic liquid films were investigated. The morphologies of wear tracks of IL films were examined using a 3D non-contact interferometric microscope. The influence of temperature on friction and adhesion behavior at nanoscale, and the effect of sliding frequency and load on friction coefficient, load bearing capacity, and anti-wear durability at microscale were studied. Corresponding tribological mechanisms of IL films were investigated by AFM and ball-on-plane microtribotester. Friction reduction, adhesion resistance, and durability of IL films were dependent on their cation chemical structures, wettability, and ambient environment.     

Tribological characteristics of low-pressure plasma-sprayed A12O3 coating from room temperature to 800 °C

The tribological characteristics of low-pressure plasma-sprayed (LPPS) Al₂O₃ coating sliding against alumina ball have been investigated from room temperature to 800 °C. These friction and wear data have been compared quantitatively with those of bulk sintered alumina to obtain a better understanding of wear mechanisms at elevated temperatures. The friction and wear of Al₂O₃ coating show a strong dependence on temperature, changing from a mild to a severe wear regime with the increase of temperature. The coefficient of friction at room temperature is approximately 0.17 to 0.42, depending on applied load. The tribochemical reaction between the coating surface and water vapor in the environment and the presence of the hydroxide film on the Al₂O₃ coating reduce the friction and wear at room temperature as contrasted to those of bulk sintered alumina. At intermediate temperatures, from 400 to 600 °C, the friction and wear behavior of Al₂O₃ coating depends on the inter-granular fracture and pull-out of Al₂O₃ grains. At above 700 °C, formation and deformation of fine grain layer, and abrasive wear in the form of removal of fine alumina grains further facilitate the friction and wear process of Al₂O₃ coating.     

Effects of hip-loading input on simulated wear of Al2O3–PTFE materials

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of static, sinusoidal and physiological load-profiles on wear of Al₂O₃–PTFE materials. This was an accelerated wear model of clinical relevance. In nine experiments, the peak load-levels were varied from 1 to 4 kN in a hip simulator with multi-directional kinematics and with bovine serum used as the lubricant. Systematic wear differences were checked using three sizes of femoral heads in each experiment. The Paul load-profile used was found to be more aggressive than sinusoidal, raising the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wear-rates by 28%. The PTFE cups showed a very mild response to increased load magnitudes, only 11–20% increase evident in volumetric wear per 1 kN increase in load. One recommendation was that simulator wear-studies adopt a 0.25–2.5 kN Paul load-profile as their standard. An experiment with 0.84 kN constant-load also performed satisfactorily, with PTFE wear-rates actually higher than with the 1 kN sine and Paul load-profiles. Some wear anomalies were encountered due to the use of serum lubrication. Combinations of large head size, high load-magnitudes, the Paul load-profile and the high serum protein concentrations used in this study were at times contributing factors. Use of low-protein serum solution may be advisable for wear studies, not only to properly simulate the polymeric wear characteristics but also to minimize the degradation artifacts more prevalent in higher protein-concentrations.     

Synthesis of TiB2-reinforced iron-based composite coating

Titanium diboride (TiB₂) particulate reinforced Fe-based alloy composite coating was produced with ferrotitanium (FeTi), ferroboron (FeB), ferrotungsten (FeW), ferrochromium (FeCr), ferrovanadium (FeV) and ferromolybdenum (FeMo) powders by using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. The effects of GTAW processing on the microstructure of AISI-4340 alloy coating with ferro-alloy powders were investigated experimentally. Abrasive wear tests were performed on the coated surface of samples to examine the influence of vol% and the size of boride on wear rates. Depending on the results, it was seen that the samples coated by FeTi-FeW-FeB ferro-alloy powders mixture have the highest wear resistance.     

Study on the tribological behaviors of the phenolic composite coating filled with modified nano-TiO2

In order to overcome the disadvantages generated by the loosened nanoparticle agglomerates dispersed in polymer composite coatings, nano-TiO₂ particles are modified using trifluoracetic acid. The friction and wear properties of the phenolic coatings filled with different surface treated nano-TiO₂, sliding against AISI-C-52100 steel ring under dry sliding, were investigated on a MHK-500 wear tester. Owing to the effective improvement of their dispersibility in the phenolic coating, compared with the cases of untreated nano-TiO₂, the employment of modified nano-TiO₂ provided the phenolic coating with much better tribological performance. Worn surfaces of the untreated nano-TiO₂ or modified nano-TiO₂ filled phenolic coating and transfer films formed on the surface of the counterpart ring sliding against the composite coating were respectively investigated by SEM and optical microscope (OM), from which it is assumed that the optimal content of TiO₂ or TF-TiO₂ is able to enhance the adhesion of the transfer films to the surface of counterpart ring. As a result, the wear resistance of the phenolic composite coating filled with modified nano-TiO₂ was significantly enhanced, especially at extreme wear conditions, i.e. high contact pressures.     

Wear and Friction of Filled Polytetrafluoroethylene Compositions in Liquid Nitrogen

Wear and friction behavior of slider materials at cryogenic temperature is important to the development of seals and bearings for missile powerplants. Data were obtained in liquid nitrogen (?320°F) with a series of molded and extruded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) compositions containing various filler materials. A 3/16-in. radius rider specimen (PTFE materials) was caused to slide in a circumferential path on the flat surface of a rotating 2½-in. diameter disk specimen (usually type 304 stainless steel). The sliding velocity was usually 2300 ft per min and the load was 1000 grams.

As compared with reference steels and carbons used in conventional seals and bearings, the filled PTFE compositions gave low wear and friction (friction coefficients from 0.06 to 0.13) in liquid nitrogen. Several extruded compositions have particular promise for seal and bearing materials. An extruded glass-filled material gave wear and friction that was essentially unaffected by sliding velocities to 6000 ft per min.     

Tribological behavior of PTFE sliding against steel in sea water

In this paper the tribological behaviors of PTFE against GCr15 steel in air, distilled water, sea water and 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were comparatively investigated. The influence of sea water composition on the tribological behavior of PTFE was also studied. Results show that the friction process in sea water was relatively stable, the friction coefficient and the wear rate of PTFE were slightly lower and a little larger than those in distilled water, respectively, but both were much lower than those in air and NaCl solution. In aqueous environment, medium affected the tribological behavior of PTFE mainly by corrosion to the counterface, the wear rate of PTFE depended on the corrosion extent of the counterface, and this wear model can be called indirect corrosive wear. In salt solution, green rusts were formed on the counterface and had some lubricating effect. In addition, the results show Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were the key factors for the relatively low friction coefficient and wear rate of PTFE in sea water, because the corrosion of counterface was reduced and the lubricating effect of green rusts was enhanced as a result of the deposition of Mg(OH)₂ and CaCO₃ on the counterface.     

单层MoS2和WS2的太赫兹近场显微成像研究

采用太赫兹散射式扫描近场光学显微镜(THz s-SNOM)研究了化学气相沉积法制备的单层MoS₂和WS₂晶粒的太赫兹近场响应。在没有可见光激发时,未探测到可分辨的太赫兹近场响应,说明晶粒具有较低的掺杂载流子浓度。有可见光激发时,由于光生载流子的太赫兹近场响应,能够测得与晶粒轮廓完全吻合的太赫兹近场显微图。在相同的光激发条件下,MoS₂的太赫兹近场响应强于WS₂,反映了两者之间载流子浓度或迁移率的差异。研究结果表明,THz s-SNOM兼具超高的空间分辨率和对光生载流子的灵敏探测能力,对二维半导体材料和器件光电特性的微观机理研究具有独特的优势。     

Tribological properties of spark-plasma-sintered ZrO2(Y2O3)-CaF2-Ag composites at elevated temperatures

Spark-plasma sintering is employed to synthesize self-lubricating ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) matrix composites with different additives of CaF₂ and Ag as solid lubricants by tailoring the composition and by adjusting the sintering temperature. The friction and wear behavior of ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) matrix composites have been investigated in dry sliding against an alumina ball from room temperature to 800 °C. The effective self-lubrication at different temperatures depends mainly on the content of various solid lubricants in the composites. The addition of 35 wt.% Ag and 30 wt.% CaF₂ in the ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) matrix can promote the formation of a well-covered lubricating film, and effectively reduce the friction and wear over the entire temperature range studied. The friction coefficients at low temperatures were at a minimum value for the composite containing 35 wt.% of silver. At this silver concentration, low and intermediate temperature lubricating properties are greatly improved without affecting high-temperature lubrication by the calcium fluoride in ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) matrix composites. The worn surfaces and transfer films formed during wear process have been characterized to identify the synergistic lubrication behavior of CaF₂ and Ag lubricants at different temperatures.     

A comparison of oxidation and oxygen substitution in MoS2 solid film lubricants

Significant advancements in the production of low friction, long wear life, sputter-deposited MoS₂ lubricant coatings have been made in the last decade. The introduction of multi-layered coatings, the establishment of careful controls on doping during DC and magnetron sputter deposition, and the implementation of ion assisted deposition have resulted in lubricants with substantially longer wear lives (up to a factor of ten greater than in the early 1980s) and lower sliding friction coefficients. A major research effort, designed to improve the performance of solid lubricants, involved a number of laboratories during this time period, resulting in these major breakthroughs. However, even with this concentrated effort, the typical investigation involved making an educated guess, based on previous experience, of the deposition conditions, target compositions, or post treatments that might be expected to provide improved performance of resulting coatings. One notable discovery during this time period was that typical MoS₂ films contain large quantities (up to 20 atom %) of oxygen substituted for sulfur in individual crystal lattices. In this paper we will compare the effects of this oxygen substitution with the effects of oxidation which involves a change in the oxidation number of the central molybdenum atoms within the crystals. A discussion of the relationship(s) between chemistry and coating structure and tribological performance will be presented with emphasis on defect chemistry and multiple phase interactions. Speculations on the role of coating chemistry in determining coating performance in applications such as in ball bearings will be presented.     

一种纤维锌矿结构CuInS2纳米化合物的合成方法

CuInS2(CIS)是重要的三元Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ族直接带隙半导体化合物光伏材料。纤维锌矿CIS的铜和铟原子共享一个晶格,因此其在化学计量比调控方面更加灵活,对高效太阳能电池具有重要意义。在低温条件下,通过简单高效的热注入法合成了在常温下能稳定存在的纤维锌矿CIS纳米化合物,并通过X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线光谱仪(EDX)和紫外可见分光光度计(UV)分别对其晶相、形貌、化学计量比和能带值进行了分析。结果表明:合成的CIS纳米化合物呈纤维锌矿结构;能带值为1.47eV,非常接近最佳能带值;呈六边形纳米盘状,纳米盘厚度约为10nm,直径约为100nm;Cu∶In∶S的化学计量比为1.70∶1∶2.94。     

Modelling particulate erosion–corrosion regime transitions for Al/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 MMCs in aqueous conditions

Very little research effort has been directed at development of models of erosion–corrosion of composite materials. This is because, in part, the understanding of the erosion–corrosion mechanisms of such materials is poor. In addition, although there has been a significant degree of effort in the development of models for erosion of MMCs, there are still difficulties in applying such models to the laboratory trends on erosion rate.In this paper, the methodology for mapping erosion–corrosion processes in aqueous slurries was extended to particulate composites. An inverse rule of mixtures was used for the construction of the erosion model for the particulate MMCs. The corrosion rate calculation was evaluated with reference to the matrix material.The erosion–corrosion maps for composites showed significant dependency on pH and applied potential. In addition, the corrosion resistance of the matrix material was observed to affect the regime boundaries. Materials maps were generated based on the results to show the optimum composite composition for exposure to the environment.