Influence of weave structures on the tribological properties of hybrid Kevlar/PTFE fabric composites

The existing research of the woven fabric self-lubricating liner mainly focus on the tribological performance improvements and the service life raised by changing different fiber type combinations, adding additive modification, and performing fiber surface modification. As fabric composites, the weave structures play an important role in the mechanical and tribological performances of the liners. However, hardly any literature is available on the friction and wear behavior of such composites with different weave structures. In this paper, three weave structures (plain, twill 1/3 and satin 8/5) of hybrid Kevlar/PTFE fabric composites are selected and pin-on-flat linear reciprocating wear studies are done on a CETR tester under different pressures and different frequencies. The relationship between the tensile strength and the wear performance are studied. The morphologies of the worn surfaces under the typical test conditions are analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis results show that at 10 MPa, satin 8/5 performs the best in friction-reduction and antiwear performance, and plain is the worst. At 30 MPa, however, the antiwear performance is reversed and satin 8/5 does not even complete the 2 h wear test at 16 Hz. There is no clear evidence proving that the tensile strength has an influence on the wear performance. So the different tribological performance of the three weave structures of fabric composites may be attributed to the different PTFE proportions in the fabric surface and the different wear mechanisms. The fabric composites are divided into three regions: the lubrication region, the reinforced region and the bonding region. The major mechanisms are fatigue wear and the shear effects of the friction force in the lubrication region. In the reinforced region fiber-matrix de-bonding and fiber breakage are involved. The proposed research proposes a regional wear model and further indicates the wear process and the wear mechanism of fabric composites.     

The influence of metal surface composition on the tribological properties of filled PTFE/steel couples

In this paper, the friction and wear behaviors of filled PTFE/steel couples are studied. The stationary specimen was made of filled PTFE. The rotating specimen, made of steels, underwent various treatments. The experimental results showed that the frictional coefficient and wear rate were low when the surface of the steel specimen contained nitrogen. The structure of the transfer film was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The transfer film containing nitrogen on the steel surface was thick. The authors consider that the hypothesis of the adhesion of the n–p–n structure may explain the characteristics of the different sliding couples in this paper and might be an important way to improve the friction and wear properties of the filled PTFE/metal sliding couples.     

Tribological behaviour of PTFE modified cotton polyester composites

Abstract

An attempt on modification of tribological behaviour of cotton polyester composite was done with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE modified polyester–cotton composites were developed and studied for their friction and sliding wear behaviour at different applied loads. The sliding wear tests of composites were conducted against EN-31 steel counter face. The coefficient of friction μ as well as the sliding wear rate of cotton–polyester composites reduced significantly on addition of PTFE. The reduction in wear rate of PTFE modified polyester–cotton composite has been discussed with the help of SEM observations of worn surfaces and coefficient of friction.     

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.     

The tribological properties of PTFE filled with thermally treated nano-attapulgite

The nano-attapulgite powder was treated by heating at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C for 2 h in a muffle furnace. PTFE composites were prepared by compression molding PTFE and thermally treated nano-attapulgite. The friction and wear tests were performed on a block-on-ring wear tester. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were utilized to investigate material microstructures and examine modes of failure. Experimental results showed that under all experimental conditions there was no significant change in coefficient of friction, but the wear rate of PTFE composites was orders of magnitude less than that of pure PTFE under same experimental conditions. Moreover, thermally treated attapulgite was superior to untreated attapulgite in enhancing the wear resistance of PTFE. In addition, the wear resistance increased monotonically with increasing treated attapulgite concentration. Hardness analysis revealed the hardness of PTFE composites increased with increasing content of treated attapulgite. Investigation of transfer film and analysis of debris for PTFE and its composites showed that thermally treated nano-attapulgite filled to PTFE could facilitate formation of transfer film on the steel ring surface and inhibit breakage of PTFE molecular chain. The composites with higher heat absorption capacity exhibited improved wear resistance. Furthermore, the steel ring counterface abrasion was not found.     

Mechanical and tribological properties of short-fiber-reinforced SiC composites

The short-carbon-fiber-reinforced SiC (C_sf/SiC) composites were prepared by hot-pressing sintering with Si, Al and B as sintering additives. The effects of fiber volume fraction on the mechanical and tribological properties of the C_sf/SiC composites were investigated. The results show that the bending strength values of the composites containing a certain content of the short carbon fibers are higher than that of the monolithic SiC. The friction coefficients of the composites decrease with increasing short carbon fibers content. Except of the composite containing 53 vol% short carbon fibers, the wear rates of the composites decrease with increasing short carbon fibers content, and are lower than that of the monolithic SiC drastically.     

Tribological Behavior of Carbon-Nanotube-Filled PTFE Composites

Carbon nanotube/polytetrafluoroethylene (CNT/PTFE) composites with different volume fractions were prepared and their friction and wear properties were investigated using a ring-on-block under dry conditions. It was found that CNTs signifi-cantly increased the wear resistance of PTFE composites and decreased their coefficient of friction. PTFE composites with 15–20 vol.% CNTs exhibited very high wear resistance. The significant improvements in the tribological properties of CNT/PTFE composites are attributed to the super-strong mechanical properties and the very high aspect ratio of CNTs. The CNTs greatly reinforce the structure of the PTFE-based composites and thereby greatly reduce the adhesive and plough wear of CNT/PTFE composites. The CNTs are released from the composite during sliding and transferred to the interface of the friction couples. They thus serve as spacers, preventing direct contact between the mating surfaces and thereby reducing both wear rate and friction coefficient.     

Effect of filler composition and crosslinker concentration on the tribological behavior of spent germ particle-based polymeric composites

Thermosetting composites have been prepared by the use of a biobased resin and spent germ filler, which is a byproduct from a wet ethanol production plant. Microscale tribological measurements were performed on samples with different concentrations of the filler as well as the crosslinker using a ball-on-flat reciprocating microtribometer. Microscale friction and wear behavior during dry sliding were evaluated using a spherical silicon nitride probe (radius 1.2 mm) and a conical diamond (radius 100 μm, cone angle 90°) probe to impose different contact conditions. Finally, a pin-on-disc tribometer was used to study the macroscale wear properties at high loads against an alumina pin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of wear tracks on the samples were obtained to elucidate deformation mechanisms. All samples showed evidence of abrasive wear in both micro- and macro-scales. It was found that an increase in the concentration of the filler resulted in higher friction coefficients against Si₃N₄, while an increase in the concentration of the crosslinker lowered the abrasive wear depth. These results provide some insight into the effectiveness of using biobased spent germ–tung oil polymer composites as potential tribomaterials.     

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.     

Preliminary studies of the influence of cryo‐treatment on the mechanical and tribological properties of ptfe and composites

Cryogenic treatment of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has proved beneficial in improving the abrasive wear resistance of several polymers, and it was thus assessed in an adhesive wear mode, as well. Preliminary investigations on the effect of cryogenic treatment on the tribological properties, in adhesive wear mode, and mechanical properties of neat PTFE and it composites filled with bronze or short glass fibres (GF) were carried out. It was found that, although the improvement in the wear and friction performance of neat PTFE and a GF + PTFE composite was significant, no such positive effect was observed for the bronze + PTFE composite. On the contrary, this composite showed a deterioration in performance. The reason behind the improvement in the tribological behaviour of neat PTFE and the GF + PTFE composite could not be clearly understood. However, it was confirmed that, if the treatment adversely affected the mechanical properties, then the tribological performance also deteriorated. An examination of the worn surface of the material and the counterface disc using a scanning electron microscope revealed changes in the microstructure due to the treatment. It was also confirmed from these SEM studies that the compatibility of bronze and PTFE was very poor, which led to poor performance of the composite both in the untreated and the cryo‐treated form. Further detailed investigation and analysis of various materials and composites, however, are necessary to establish the utility of this technique.     

On the friction and wear behavior of PTFE composite filled with rare earths treated carbon fibers under oil-lubricated condition

Carbon fibers (CF) were surface treated with air-oxidation, air-oxidation followed by rare earths (RE) treatment and RE treatment, respectively. The friction and wear properties of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with differently surface treated carbon fibers, sliding against GCr15 steel under oil lubrication, were investigated on a reciprocating ball-on-disk UMT-2MT tribometer. The worn surfaces of the PTFE composites were examined using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results revealed that surface treatment of carbon fibers reduced the wear of CF-reinforced PTFE composites. Among all the treatments to carbon fibers, RE treatment was the most effective and lowest friction and wear rate of CF-reinforced PTFE composite was exhibited, owing to the effective improvement of the interfacial adhesion between the carbon fibers and PTFE matrix.     

Effect of rare earths on mechanical and tribological properties of carbon fibers reinforced PTFE composite

The effect of a rare earth (RE) surface treatment on the mechanical and tribological properties of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites was experimentally investigated. The tensile properties of the CF reinforced PTFE (CF/PTFE) composites treated with air oxidation and RE modifier were superior to those of untreated CF/PTFE composites, while RE treatment was most effective in promoting the tensile strength and strain at break of the CF/PTFE composite. The bending strength of the RE treated CF/PTFE composite was improved by about 16% compared with that of untreated composites, while 2% improvement was achieved by air oxidation. Under oil-lubricated conditions, RE treatment was more effective than air oxidation to reduce the friction coefficient and wear of PTFE composite. RE treatment effectively improved the interfacial adhesion between CF and PTFE. The strong interfacial coupling of the composite made CF not easy to detach from the PTFE matrix, and prevented the rubbing-off of PTFE, accordingly improved the friction and wear properties of the composite.     

Effects of carbon fiber length on the tribological properties of paper-based friction materials

Four kinds of paper-based friction materials reinforced with carbon fibers of 100, 400, 600 and 800 μm were prepared by paper-making processes. Experimental results showed that the friction materials became porous with fiber length increasing. The friction torque curves were flat except the sample with 100 μm fibers. The wear rate of the sample with 100 μm fibers was only 1.40×10⁻⁵ mm³/J. Tiny debris and fine scratches formed in the worn surface were the reason for excellent wear resistance of friction pairs with 100 μm fibers. The friction pairs with 400, 600 and 800 μm fibers showed typically abrasive wear and fatigue wear.     

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。     

Physical and tribological properties of PTFE micropowder-filled EPDM rubber

The physical and tribological properties of ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber (EPDM) filled with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micropowders, i.e. MP1100 and MP1200 having chemically similar but distinctive microstructural morphology have been investigated. EPDM-PTFE micropowder blends filled with MP1200 having a solid granular structure, showed poor tensile strength and elongation at break but significantly improved tribological properties. It attained both the lowest steady-state friction coefficient and specific wear rate. However, EPDM-PTFE blends containing a fine agglomerated PTFE micropowder of MP1100 showed enhanced physical properties. Its increasing tensile strength and elongation at break with PTFE micropowder loading compared to MP1200-filled EPDM blend was essentially due to its characteristic morphology, which enhanced its dispersion and compatibility with EPDM. It showed specific wear rate similar to MP1200-filled EPDM but resulted in high friction coefficient. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the PTFE micropowders and the corresponding PTFE micropowder-filled EPDM blends suggest that agglomerates morphology, dispersion and interfacial compatibility with EPDM are the key factors influencing physical and tribological properties of these compounds.     

Friction and wear behavior of hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composite reinforced with surface modified nanometer ZnO

Nano-ZnO was successfully grafted with 2,4-toluenediisocyanate (TDI) and β-aminoethyltrimethoxylsilane (OB551) to avoid the agglomeration of nano-ZnO in composite. The hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composites reinforced with the untreated, OB551 and TDI modified nano-ZnO, respectively, were prepared by dip-coating of the hybrid fabric in a phenolic adhesive resin containing the nanoparticles to be incorporated and the successive curing. The friction and wear behaviors of various nano-ZnO reinforced hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composites sliding against AISI-1045 steel in a pin-on-disk configuration were evaluated on a Xuanwu-III high-temperature friction and wear tester, with the unfilled one as a reference. The morphologies of the worn surfaces of the composites and of the counterpart pins were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, FTIR spectrum was taken to characterize the untreated and treated nano-ZnO. It is found that the untreated and treated nano-ZnO reinforced hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composites exhibit improved wear resistance and friction-reduction in comparison with the unfilled one. The TDI modified nano-ZnO reinforced composite can obtain the best friction and wear performance under different applied load; followed by the OB551 modified nano-ZnO reinforced one. Sliding conditions, such as environmental temperature and lubricating condition, significantly affect the tribo-performances of the unfilled and filled hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composites.     

Effect of aerosil organophilization on tribological properties of low-filled UHMWPE composites

The effect of aerosil on the formation of structure and surface layers of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and its low-filled composites is studied during friction. Surface modification of aerosil by vinyl triethoxysilane is found to result in elevated crystallinity degree and hardness of the filled polymeric system, and hardening of the composite surface layer under friction. This can be, evidently, attributed to friction-induced grafting of binder macromolecules to the organophilicized aerosil surface. Strengthening of the matrix bonding with the filler is accompanied by worsening of lubricity, growth of wear resistance, and increasing contribution of the adhesive mechanism instead of the abrasive one to the wear of low-filled UHMWPE composites.     

纳米ZnO填充的PTFE基复合材料摩擦学性能研究

得胜０００型摩擦磨损试验机研究了不同体积含量的纳米氧化锌（ＺｎＯ）填充的ＰＴＦＥ基复合材料在于摩擦条件下与不风对摩时的摩擦学性能,并利用扫描电子微镜（ＳＥＭ）对ＰＴＦＥ及纳米ＺｎＯ／ＰＴＦＥ复合材料的微观结构、磨损表面和转移膜进行了观察和分析。结果表明,纳米ＺｎＯ／ＰＴＦＥ复合材料的摩擦性能与纯ＰＴＦＥ基本相当,但耐磨性明显优于后者,纳米ＺｎＯ在复合材料中的最佳含量为１５ｖｏｌ．％左右。     

The friction and wear of electroless Ni–P matrix with PTFE and/or SiC particles composite

In this paper, the friction behaviour and wear mechanism of electroless Ni–P matrix with PTFE and/or SiC particles composite coating are investigated by virtue of ring-on-disk wear machine at a high load of 150 N. The worn surface, wear debris and the composition changes after wear were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX). By comparison with Ni–P and Ni–P–SiC coatings, the results indicated that the combination of a PTFE-rich mechanical mixed layer (PRMML) formed on the worn surface and hard SiC were responsible for the good tribological properties of the hybrid Ni–P–PTFE–SiC composites at high load. After heat treatment at 400 °C for 1 h, the wear rate of Ni–P matrix composites decreased with corresponding increase in microhardness. During sliding, an obvious decrease in the temperature rise with PTFE addition was attributed to the good anti-friction of PTFE.     

聚四氟乙烯填充含量对钢背超高分子量聚乙烯纤维织物复合材料摩擦学性能的影响

为改善广泛应用于船舶苛刻环境无油/脂润滑摩擦配副材料的摩擦学性能,将聚四氟乙烯（PTFE）按不同质量分数与钢背超高分子量聚乙烯纤维织物复合材料结合,研究它与45钢盘在变转速环环端面干摩擦状态下的摩擦学特性。对试验过程中摩擦因数及磨损量进行测量,利用表面轮廓仪、扫描电子显微镜与超景深显微镜对复合材料及对磨件磨损表面形貌进行了观察与分析。结果表明：所有填充PTFE的复合材料摩擦学性能均表现优异,随着PTFE含量的增加,复合材料摩擦性能变差,其中1 %（质量分数） PTFE填充复合材料综合摩擦性能最好,在试验工况下主要发生磨粒磨损,PTFE填充量较高的复合材料在高速下由于团聚及摩擦热量积聚主要经历黏着磨损与疲劳磨损。