A biomimetic approach for effective reduction in micro-scale friction by direct replication of topography of natural water-repellent surfaces

In this paper, we report on the replication of surface topographies of natural leaves of water-repellent plants of Lotus and Colocasia onto thin polymeric films using a capillarity-directed soft lithographic technique. The replication was carried out on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film spin coated on silicon wafer using poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) molds. The friction properties of the replicated surfaces were investigated at micro-scale in comparison with those of PMMA thin film and silicon wafer. The replicated surfaces exhibited superior friction property when compared to those of PMMA thin film and silicon wafer. The superior friction behaviour of the replicated surfaces was attributed to the reduced real area of contact projected by them.     

Polymer-polymer friction: Adhesion dependence

The friction of pure polyethylene and acrylate grafted films or mixtures of polyethylene and a poly (ethylene-butylacrylate-maleic anhydride) terpolymer is examined at low speed for sliding on a poly(methylmethacrylate)(PMMA) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) substrate. In all cases, the friction coefficient μ at equilibrium is proportional to the adhesion energy of the same films as determined by a peel test. This study shows how much for smooth surfaces, interfacial and mechanical properties intervene simultaneously in polymer-polymer friction.     

Effect of Water Swelling on the Tribological Properties of PMMA Spin-Cast Film and Brush in Aqueous Environment

Due to their light weight, low corrosion and good tribological properties, polymer films have been widely studied in dry condition as well as recently in aqueous environment. Though the presence of water can further reduce the friction, it promotes the wear rate of the polymer films. As a remedy to decrease the wear rate of polymer films under aqueous condition, in this study, we used PMMA brush which is chemically anchored to a substrate and compared its friction and wear properties with those of conventional PMMA spin-cast film. Ellipsometry, contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy are used to study the surface properties, e.g., wear mechanisms and wear depths of PMMA films. Under different sliding speeds and applied loads, PMMA brush showed lower friction than PMMA spin-cast film in aqueous. Moreover, it was shown that the swelling of water molecules is a dominant factor in determining the wear durability of PMMA films in which PMMA brush showed better wear performance than PMMA spin-cast film.     

Tribological properties of polymer/silica composite coatings for microsystems applications

The tribological properties of composite coatings consisting of silica nanoparticles dispersed in either a poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS) matrix were assessed. The experiments were conducted using a reciprocating type of micro-tribotester under relatively low normal loads ranging from 5 to 15 mN. Results indicated that the wear resistance of PMMA could be significantly improved by adding silica particles at the cost of increased friction coefficient from 0.27 to 0.4. The effect of silica content on the wear resistance of PS was less apparent. Such outcome was attributed to the difference in the compatibility between silica and the polymer matrix.     

Tribological properties of polymer/silica composite coatings for microsystems applications

The tribological properties of composite coatings consisting of silica nanoparticles dispersed in either a poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS) matrix were assessed. The experiments were conducted using a reciprocating type of micro-tribotester under relatively low normal loads ranging from 5 to 15 mN. Results indicated that the wear resistance of PMMA could be significantly improved by adding silica particles at the cost of increased friction coefficient from 0.27 to 0.4. The effect of silica content on the wear resistance of PS was less apparent. Such outcome was attributed to the difference in the compatibility between silica and the polymer matrix.     

Dependence of the friction process on the molecular structure and architecture of thin polymer films

The frictional properties of a homologous series of poly(n-alkyl methacrylates) (PnAMA) and a series of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films, cast from a variety of solvents, are characterized. The choice of polymer film was driven by the consideration of the possible mechanisms for the accommodation of a macroscopically applied shear stress by molecular entities. Two possible mechanisms are proposed: (i) the relative flexibility of the polymer backbone chain. For this purpose the PnAMAs have been chosen. By varying the length of the substituent chain, the relative molecular freedom around the backbone chain is altered. These molecular differences are sensed in the frictional properties at the macroscopic level, and (ii) the molecular organization is also proposed to be a factor in determining the friction response of a particular polymer film. For this purpose, the frictional properties of PMMA films cast from different solvents are investigated. There is observed to be a strong influence of the molecular organization on the frictional properties of the solvent cast PMMA films. The molecular probe employed to characterize the molecular environment is vibrational spectroscopy. Conformationally sensitive vibrational modes are used to determine the relative flexibility of the backbone chain and the organization of the chain network.     

Small amplitude reciprocating wear performance of diamond-like carbon films: dependence of film composition and counterface material

Small amplitude (50 μm) reciprocating wear of hydrogen-containing diamond-like carbon (DLC) films of different compositions has been examined against silicon nitride and polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) counter-surfaces, and compared with the performance of an uncoated steel substrate. Three films were studied: a DLC film of conventional composition, a fluorine-containing DLC film (F-DLC), and silicon-containing DLC film. The films were deposited on steel substrates from plasmas of organic precursor gases using the Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition (PIIID) process, which allows for the non-line-of-sight deposition of films with tailored compositions. The amplitude of the resistive frictional force during the reciprocating wear experiments was monitored in situ, and the magnitude of film damage due to wear was evaluated using optical microscopy, optical profilometry, and atomic force microscopy. Wear debris was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. In terms of friction, the DLC and silicon-containing DLC films performed exceptionally well, showing friction coefficients less than 0.1 for both PMMA and silicon nitride counter-surfaces. DLC and silicon-containing DLC films also showed significant reductions in transfer of PMMA compared with the uncoated steel. The softer F-DLC film performed similarly well against PMMA, but against silicon nitride, friction displayed nearly periodic variations indicative of cyclic adhesion and release of worn film material during the wear process. The results demonstrate that the PIIID films achieve the well-known advantageous performance of other DLC films, and furthermore that the film performance can be significantly affected by the addition of dopants. In addition to the well-established reduction of friction and wear that DLC films generally provide, we show here that another property, low adhesiveness with PMMA, is another significant benefit in the use of DLC films.     

水润滑条件下聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/有机改性蒙脱土复合材料摩擦磨损性能研究

采用2种有机改性蒙脱土(OMMT,TJ-2型和KH-V6型),研究了乳液插层法制备的2种聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)/OMMT复合材料在水介质作用下的摩擦磨损性能,并用扫描电子显微镜观察分析了复合材料的磨损表面。结果表明:2种PMMA/OMMT复合材料的摩擦因数和磨损率都随OMMT含量的增加先减小后增加。当OMMT质量分数为5%时,2种复合材料的磨损率最小,约为PMMA的55%,当OMMT质量分数为4%时,2种复合材料的摩擦因数最小,约为PMMA的68%。此外,2种复合材料的磨损机制也基本相同,随着OMMT含量的增加,主要磨损形式依次是粘着磨损、磨粒磨损和疲劳磨损与磨粒磨损的混合磨损形式。     

Nano-Mechanical Properties of Modified Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Films Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the effect of various photoinitiators doped into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on the mechanical properties of PMMA films at the nanometer scale. Pure and modified PMMA films (containing four different photoinitiators) were exposed to a mercury vapor lamp in air atmosphere. Force–distance curves for hardness, Young modulus, and adhesion forces were obtained using different AFM modes (tapping or contact-mode) and different tips (diamond or silicon nitride). The results revealed that the added photoinitiators slightly changed the nanomechanical properties of PMMA as a result of alterations in the photochemical reactions and physical processes occurring in the studied systems. tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate had the most efficient effect on the measured parameters in UV-irradiated PMMA, whereas benzoyl peroxide was less active. The mechanism of the observed processes is discussed.     

Contact damage of poly(methylmethacrylate) during complex microdisplacements

The wear behaviour of a PMMA substrate contacting against a steel ball has been investigated under small amplitude oscillating motions. A friction device has been developed, which allows the combination, to various extents, of linear sliding and torsional contact conditions. Using laser profilometry, the amounts of wear debris trapped within the contact or displaced from the contact have been quantified for the various loading configurations. The contact zone kinematics has been found to have a major influence upon the wear resistance of the PMMA. When the contact conditions progressed from torsional to linear sliding, a rapid decrease in the wear volumes was observed, which was associated with the progressive accumulation and compaction of an increased part of the detached PMMA particles within a central roll. These results have been interpreted by considering both the shape and the magnitude of the sliding paths that were generated within the contact under the various loading configurations. Using nano-indentation tests, it was also observed that the consolidated third body resulting from debris compaction within the rolls exhibits mechanical properties (hardness, modulus) similar to those of the original PMMA substrate. The achievement of a high level of compaction within the roll formation was explained by considering the effects of third body accumulation on the load carrying capacity of the contact.     

Evaluation of mechanical characteristics of the plate-type polymer hyperfine pit pattern by the nanoindentation process

It’s important to measure quantitative properties about the thermal-nano behavior of polymers in order to produce high quality components using the nanoimprint lithography process. Nanoscale indentation can be used to make the cells for molecular electronics, drug delivery, slots for integration into nanodevices and defects for tailoring both the structure and properties. In this study, the formability of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) were characterized. Thermo-mechanical properties during formation at a high temperature. Polymers become softer at elevated temperature due to heating. In this case it is particularly important to study the high temperature-induced mechanical properties of the polymer. Nanoindentation was used to measure the thermo-mechanical properties of both PMMA and PC. The polymer was heated with the heating stage on a NanoXP. For a CSM (Continuous Stiffness Method) mode test, the heating temperature was 110°C, 120°C, 130°C, 140°C and 150°C for the PMMA, and 140°C, 150°C, 160°C, 170°C and 180°C for the PC. The maximum indentation depth for this test was 2000 nm. For the basic mode test, the heating temperature was 90°C and 110°C for the PMMA, and 140°C and 160°C for the PC. The maximum loads for this test were 10 mN, 20 mN and 40 mN. An indented pattern was also observed by using AFM. The pile-up phenomenon was mitigated due to the indentation at elevated temperature but the sink-in phenomenon occurred in this instance. When patterning at a high temperature, one should consider the variation in the indentation profile and depth after unloading when designing a structure. It was thought that the mechanical properties decrease when the working temperature increases because PMMA and PC are thermoplastics which soften or melt by heating. Further research in this area is required about the molecular weight and molecular movement at elevated temperature when the free volume of molecules increases.     

An experimental study of the scratch properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) as a function of the concentration of added slip agent

A scratch test was performed on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) material that had been optimised for electronic products. In this study, the scratch properties of PMMA containing various concentrations of slip agent were investigated by performing scratch tests under two different load conditions, i.e., a static normal load and a variable normal load. The effects of the concentration of slip agent on the scratch properties of PMMA were characterised by some key tribological parameters, based on a new standard test methodology. Additionally, the damaged surfaces of the specimens were investigated to understand the variations in scratch mechanisms.     

Friction and wear scar analysis of carbon nanofiber-reinforced polymeric composite coatings on alumina/aluminum composite

Alumina/aluminum based composites with excellent physical and mechanical properties offer great potential for lightweight, wear resistant, and high temperature applications. The objective of the present research was to investigate a suitable coating material to provide a low coefficient of friction (COF) during sliding contact. The friction behavior of carbon nanofiber-reinforced aerospace polymer coatings prepared by the spin coating technique were investigated. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), bis A polycarbonate, and two biphenyl endcapped poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) compositions, namely BPETPP-E and 6FETPP-E, were used as the matrices. Pin-on-disc experiments were performed between 440C stainless steel balls and disc samples of coated alumina/aluminum interpenetrating phase composites at 0.2 m/s sliding velocity, in air, at room temperature under 0.25 and 0.74 N normal load. In all cases, formation of a lubricious carbon layer and its transfer to the steel counterface was observed to result in lower COF (∼0.2–0.3). Higher levels of fiber content (40 and 60 wt.% fibers) contributed to a faster formation of this layer. Wear scar analysis showed the dual roles of the carbon nanofibers, serving as solid lubricants and as reinforcement in the coatings. The amount of debris generated and the coverage of the lubricious carbon-rich film on the scar surface was dependent on the matrix material used. Adherent and uniform coverage of a lubricious carbon-rich film at the wear contact with the least amount of debris fragments was obtained only for composite coatings using BPETPP-E and 6FETPP-E matrices.     

An experimental study of the scratch properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) as a function of the concentration of added slip agent

A scratch test was performed on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) material that had been optimised for electronic products. In this study, the scratch properties of PMMA containing various concentrations of slip agent were investigated by performing scratch tests under two different load conditions, i.e., a static normal load and a variable normal load. The effects of the concentration of slip agent on the scratch properties of PMMA were characterised by some key tribological parameters, based on a new standard test methodology. Additionally, the damaged surfaces of the specimens were investigated to understand the variations in scratch mechanisms.     

Effect of interface conditions between ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and polymethyl methacrylate bone cement on the mechanical behaviour of total shoulder arthroplasty

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the interface condition between polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement and the ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMWPE) glenoid component on cement stresses and glenoid component tilting in a finite element (FE) model. The background of this research is that most FE models assume bonding between the PMMA bone cement and the UHMWPE component, although it is very doubtful that this bonding is present. An FE model of a cemented glenoid component was developed and a joint compression force and subluxation force of 725 and 350 N respectively were applied. The maximal principal stresses in the cement layer ranged between 21.30 and 32.18 MPa. Glenoid component tilting ranged between 0.943 degrees and 0.513 degrees. It was found that the interface condition has a large effect on the maximal principal stresses and glenoid component tilting. Whether adhesion between the UHMWPE component and PMMA bone cement occurs is unknown beforehand and, as a result, design validation using the FE technique should be carried out both by using contact elements in combination with a coefficient of friction as well as by a full bonding at this interface.     

The Microstructure and Wear Characteristics of Cu–Fe Matrix Friction Material with Addition of SiC

The Cu–Fe matrix continuous braking friction materials using SiC as abrasive were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique, and the effect of content and size of SiC were investigated. The tribological properties of friction materials sliding against AISI 1045 steel ring were carried out on a block-on-ring tester at different loads and sliding speeds. The strengthening effect of nano-SiC (55 nm) was superior to that of micro-SiC (70 μm) of the tribological properties for friction materials. The friction coefficients of friction materials increased with increasing nano-SiC content. However, the wear rates decreased with increasing nano-SiC content and then increased when the content of nano-SiC particle exceeded 10 wt%. The specimen contained 10% nano-SiC had the best tribological properties at different testing conditions.     

PS/PMMA复合材料的光散射

对以聚苯乙烯(PS)和自行合成的纳米"类双亲"PMMAPS为光散射剂,以聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)为基体的复合光散射材料进行了实验研究.测试并分析了样品的雾度及透光率与添加量之间的关系,目的在于通过调节散射剂添加量来调控以PMMA为基体的高聚物材料的光散射性能.实验结果表明,添加少量PS到PMMA中即可制备出光散射材料,PS添加量为1%时,复合光散射材料的透光率为80%;不添加PMMAPS时雾度为50%,添加了PMMAPS时雾度达到80%,PMMAPS可以改善PMMA和PS之间的相容性,提高样品的雾度值.因此通过调节散射剂PS和PMMAPS添加量可实现光散射高雾度和高透光率的双高要求.     

Fretting corrosion behaviour of Ti–6Al–4V/PMMA contact in simulated body fluid

Abstract

The fretting corrosion of a Ti–6Al–4V flat in contact with a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) ball in 0·9 wt-% NaCl solution was investigated using a fretting rig operating under electrochemical control. The effect of potential and of normal load on friction, wear and electrochemical response was studied under gross slip regime. No noticeable mechanical deterioration of the Ti–6Al–4V surface could be observed. At anodic potential, alloy corrosion was only slightly enhanced by fretting. Wear of PMMA was large and controlled by third body formation. A correlation between PMMA wear coefficient and thickness of third body was observed.     

A heater-integrated scanning probe microscopy probe array with different tip radii for study of micro-nanosize effects on silicon-tip/polymer-film friction

Electric-heated cantilever-tip probes fabricated by micromachining techniques can be used for high-density data storage, nanopatterning, etc., where contact-scanning and thermal-plastic nanowritings are frequently implemented on the surface of a polymer thin-film such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). In such kind of applications, micro-nanofriction effects, e.g., contacting-size and temperature effects of the tip/film friction system, will largely influence the performance of the applications. To elucidate the effects, present research fabricates a monolithically integrated probe array that comprises three scanning probe microscopy cantilever-tip probes with different tip radii of tens of nanometers, submicrometers and microns, respectively. The tip is enabled an electric-heating function by integrating a heating resistors on the tip. Using the tips, the tip/film friction experiment shows an obvious contacting-area effect. Within a wide temperature range, the friction signal and the normal force load exhibit a nonlinear relationship for the nanoradius tip but a linear relationship for the submicron tip. With the heated tips, the experiment directly reveals significant size effects on friction and adhesion behaviors. It is found that the glassy transition of the PMMA film can be characterized using the submicron tip, while the nanotip is suited to detect the secondary beta transition process. By fitting the experimental data into a power law with apparent friction coefficient included, the temperature-effect combined size effect of the micronano tip/polymer friction is modeled and discussed.     

Experimental investigations and analytical modeling of multi-pass CO2 laser processing on PMMA

In this research work, microchannels have been fabricated utilizing multi-pass CO₂ laser processing on Poly-methyl meth-acrylate (PMMA) substrates. CO₂ laser engraving machines are cost effective and less time consuming compared to other tools and methods of fabricating microchannels on PMMA. However, the basic problem of low surface finish of the microchannel walls still restricts thus fabricated product from many potential applications. In this work, experimental and theoretical investigations of multi-pass CO₂ laser processing on PMMA have been conducted. A number of experiments were performed to establish the relationship between laser power and scanning speed with microchannel parameters like width, depth, heat affected zone, surface roughness and surface profiles. Experiments were conducted at four different power settings with 50 mm/s of constant scanning speed and seven numbers of passes in each setting. Changes in thermo-physical properties of PMMA were observed for as-received PMMA sample and PMMA sample residing in heat affected zone (HAZ) for first pass and secondary passes respectively. Effect of different numbers of passes on microchannel width, depth, HAZ and surface roughness were explored for different power setting. Microchannel profiles resulting from different numbers of passes have been compared. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis was performed to determine elemental composition after each pass. Many advantages of multi-pass processing over single-pass processing were recorded including high aspect ratio, low heat affected zone, smoother microchannel walls and reduced tapering of microchannels. An energy balance based simple analytical model was developed and validated with experimental results for predicting microchannel profiles on PMMA substrate in multi-pass processing. Multi-pass processing was found to be time and cost effective method for producing smooth microchannels on PMMA.