Tribological Properties of PTFE and PTFE Composites at Different Temperatures

The friction and wear properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and its composites with fillers such as bronze, glass fiber, carbon fiber, carbon, graphite, and polymer were studied at ambient temperature and high temperature. The wear resistance and hardness were enhanced by the fillers. Results showed that the wear resistance of all composites was much higher than that of pure PTFE. Pure PTFE has the lowest friction coefficient at ambient temperature (temperature: 23 ± 2°C, humidity: 50 ± 10%) but highest friction coefficient at high temperature (above 100°C). The PTFE composite filled with bronze showed the best wear resistance at ambient temperature but the poorest wear resistance at high temperature. The carbon-graphite- or polymer-filled PTFE composite showed a lower friction coefficient and moderate wear resistance at both ambient and high temperature.     

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.     

Impact of Viscoelasticity on the Tribological Behavior of PTFE Composites for Valve Seals Application

In this article, we studied and explored the impact of viscoelasticity on the friction and wear behavior of pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon–graphite PTFE composite, and glass fiber–MoS₂ PTFE composite. Tests were carried out using a specific reciprocating tribometer for valve seal application. The worn surfaces of the PTFE composites and the transfer films formed on the counterface were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experimental results revealed that the addition of filler materials was effective in reducing the wear volume in all composites studied. In addition, the friction coefficient and wear resistance showed high sensitivity to the viscoelastic behavior of the PTFE seal. SEM investigation showed that the incorporation of particulate fillers into the PTFE matrix could dramatically reduce and stabilize the transfer films to the counterface, so they largely decreased the wear of the PTFE composites.     

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.     

填料对超高分子量聚乙烯摩擦磨损性能的影响研究

用MPV－200型摩擦磨损试验机和腐蚀磨损试验机,研究了MoS2,PTEF,石墨,玻璃纤维,碳纤维等填料对超高分子量聚乙烯（UHMW－PE）摩擦磨损性能的影响,结果表明：填充MoS2,PTFE,石墨可降低UHMW－PE的摩擦系数;而添加玻璃纤维则增大了UHMW－PE的摩擦系数,添加碳纤维对UHMW－PE的摩擦系数几乎无影响,同时,添加填料可使UHMW－PE的耐磨性显提高,其中石煌减摩抗磨效果最佳,超高分子量聚乙烯基体的和石墨填料的构成的复合材料,同超高分子量乙烯相比,不仅耐磨性大幅度提高,而且磨擦系数大大降低。     

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.     

水润滑下316L不锈钢与聚醚醚酮摩擦磨损性能研究

为了寻找适合于水液压泵/马达的摩擦副材料,以316 L不锈钢与纯聚醚醚酮树脂、30%玻璃纤维增强PEEK(PEEKGF30)、30%碳纤维增强PEEK(PEEKCA30),PTFE和石墨及碳纤维填充PEEK(PEEKHPV)组成的摩擦副为研究对象,利用MMW-1立式万能摩擦磨损试验机测量摩擦副在水润滑下接触表面的摩擦因数和温度以及试样的磨损量,并通过激光共聚焦显微镜对试件表面磨损形貌进行分析。结果表明:316 L-PEEKHPV摩擦副的摩擦因数、摩擦温升、磨损量均小于其余3组摩擦副,适合作为水液压泵/马达的关键摩擦副材料。316 L不锈钢与PEEKGF30配对时,摩擦机制为涂抹和擦伤,磨损较为严重;与PEEKCA30配对时,摩擦机制为擦伤;与PEEKHPV配对时摩擦机制主要为划伤,磨损较为轻微。     

Tribological Property of Selective Laser Melting–Processed 316L Stainless Steel against Filled PEEK under Water Lubrication

Abstract

As a 3D printing technology, selective laser melting has remarkable advantages such as high processing flexibility, high material utilization, and short production cycle. The applications of selective laser melting technology in industry have become quite extensive. There are many tribological studies on selective laser melting materials, but few based on water lubrication (Zhu, et al., Journal of Zhejiang University-Science A, 19(2), pp 95–110). In this article, the tribological properties of 316L stainless steel processed by selective laser melting and traditional methods have been studied under water lubrication. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) filled with carbon fiber (CF)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/graphite was selected as the counterpart. 316L stainless steel and PEEK are a tribopair commonly used in water hydraulics. This study is of great significance to the application of selective laser melting material of tribopairs in water hydraulics. Friction and wear tests were carried out on a pin-on-disc contact test apparatus under different operating conditions. The friction coefficient, specific wear coefficient, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the worn surface, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of the surface adhesions of the three tribopairs were measured and compared. The results revealed that the friction coefficient of the selective laser melting (SLM) 316L stainless steel was significantly higher than that of traditionally processed (TP) 316L stainless steel, which might be caused by the pores on the surface of SLM 316L stainless steel. Adhesion and cutting on the surface of SLM 316L stainless steel were also more serious, resulting in a higher specific wear coefficient of its counterpart PEEK composite compared to PEEK composite against TP 316L stainless steel.     

Tribological studies of poly(ether ether ketone) blends

A review of friction and wear studies of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) blended with other polymers is presented. PEEK is a high performance thermoplastic now commonly employed in many engineering applications, but its tribological properties deteriorate in high temperature environments. One approach to improving the friction and wear properties of PEEK is to blend this plastic with appropriate polymers. In recent years, a number of investigations into the tribology of PEEK blended with poly(ether imide) (PEI), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) have been reported and these studies are discussed.     

Novel operation mode for eliminating influence of inclination angle and friction in atomic force microscopy

The accuracy of topography imaging in contact force mode of atomic force microscopy (AFM) depends on the one-to-one corresponding relationship between the cantilever deflection and the tip–sample distance, whereas such a relationship cannot be always achieved in the presence of friction and incline angle of sample surface. Recently, we have developed a novel operation mode in which we keep the van der Waals force as constant instead of the applied normal force, to eliminate the effect of inclination angle and friction on topography imaging in the contact force mode. We have improved our AFM to enable the new operation mode for validation. Comparative experiments have been performed and the results have shown that the effect of friction and inclination angle on topography imaging in contact mode of AFM can be eliminated or at least decreased effectively by working in the new operation mode we present.     

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.     

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.     

碳纤维/玻璃纤维/石墨协同改性PTFE复合材料力学性能

通过机械混合、冷压和烧结成型制备了碳纤维、玻璃纤维和石墨填充协同改性聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)复合材料。对比分析了不同样品的拉伸、冲击和压缩等力学性能。结果表明:玻纤和碳纤维使复合材料冲击强度下降;玻纤使复合材料拉伸强度下降,碳纤维则使复合材料拉伸强度稍有增强;玻纤和碳纤维均使复合材料压缩强度增加,但碳纤维的增强效果更为明显;石墨、玻纤和碳纤维协同增强PTFE复合材料的拉伸强度较高,弹性模量较大,断裂伸长率较高,抗压缩性能明显提高,且材料拉伸时呈塑性断裂,是综合力学性能较好的高性能润滑密封材料。     

Investigation of human hair fibers using lateral force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and lateral force microscopy (LFM) were used to investigate the morphologic and surface changes associated with various surface modifications to human hair. These included extraction with a series of solvents, bleaching, and treatment with a cationic copolymer. The study assessed the ability of these techniques to distinguish the changes in surface properties, including morphology and friction coefficient, as manifested in changes brought about by the indicated surface modifications. While topographic morphology can easily be investigated with contact AFM. LFM offers an additional tool for probing the surface distribution of oils and waxes. The removal of surface lipids from the fiber surface was accomplished using soxhlet extraction with t-butanol and n-hexane, while the free internal lipids (within the fiber structure) were removed by extraction with a mixture of chloroform and methanol (70:30, v/v). In addition, the surface of hair was modified with the cationic polymer, co(vinyl pyrrolidone-methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride [PVP/MAPTAC]), and its distribution on the surface was monitored. Ambient AFM and LFM studies of surface modified and native fibers clearly indicate that when investigated as a function of tip loading force, the different modifications result in changes of the friction coefficient, which increase in this order: native, bleached, solvent extracted, and polymer-treated hair. Friction images show surface variations that are interpreted as areas of varying lipid film coverage. In addition, topographic images of the fibers show the presence of small pores, which become increasingly prevalent upon solvent extraction.     

Macro and microtribological studies of CrO2 video tapes

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and its modification-friction force microscopy (FFM) are becoming increasingly important in the understanding of friction, wear, lubrication and nanomechanical property measurements. We describe modified AFM and FFM techniques and present data on microtribological studies of two CrO₂ video tapes. Macro-scale friction measurements were also made on the two tapes. We have observed that macro-scale friction is higher than that on micro-scale. Lower values of micro-scale friction as compared to macro-scale friction may be because of less ploughing contribution in micro-scale friction measurements. The directionality effects observed in micro-scale friction may come from the asymmetrical transfer of wipe material or from the calendering. Differences in the macro-scale friction in the two tapes appear to correlate with the changes in scratch resistance, wear resistance and the hardness of the tape surface on a micro-scale to nano-scales. It is demonstrated that AFM/FFM techniques are valuable in the fundamental understanding of tribology of magnetic tapes.     

Tribo-investigation on PTFE lubricated PEEK in harsh operating conditions

A series of blends with Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) powder and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was developed by varying the PTFE contents in steps of 5 wt.% from 0 to 20 wt.%. The composites were evaluated for their friction and wear properties at room temperature as well as high temperature in low amplitude oscillating wear (LAOW) mode against steel (100 Cr 6) ball against polymer plate. The same blends were also evaluated in abrasive wear mode to study the influence of harsh operating conditions on wear and friction performance. Incorporation of PTFE benefited PEEK in various ways such as it increased the tribo-utility of the latter by increasing its limiting load value, removing its stick-slip tendency, lowering coefficient of friction and specific wear rate significantly. With increase in PTFE content, benefits to the wear performance increased regularly. This was not the case for friction coefficient. Lowest μ was recorded for 15% PTFE contents. The enhancement in wear and friction performance, however, was at the cost of strength properties which decreased substantially with increase in PTFE content. At 100 °C, friction coefficient and wear rates of all blends increased marginally. In abrasive wear mode, on the other hand, PTFE filled PEEK showed poorer wear resistance than neat PEEK. This was correlated with strength properties and it was observed that these blends closely followed the predictions of Ratner–Lancaster plot. SEM was used to examine the micro-structural features of worn surfaces.     

均匀设计法在聚醚醚酮复合材料摩擦学特性试验中的应用研究

采用均匀设计法设计了CF/SiO2/PTFE/PEEK复合材料,并模压成型;在摩擦磨损试验机上研究了PEEK复合材料的摩擦学特性,应用回归分析法对其摩擦学特性试验数据进行了分析,得到了摩擦学特性参数的回归公式。结果表明,均匀设计法应用于PEEK复合材料的摩擦学特性研究是可行的,能有效预测复合材料的摩擦学特性参数,回归分析结果与复合材料的摩擦磨损试验数据相吻合。     

填料对聚四氟乙烯工程塑料改性的影响

研究了MoS2、PbS、石墨、玻璃纤维、碳纤维等填料对聚四氟乙烯（PTFE）工程塑料抗磨损、摩察系数、表面硬度、耐冲击强度等性能的影响。结果表明：填料可将PTFE的磨损量降低2个数量级，石墨和适量硬质填料的协同作用对PTFE的改性效果比较理想，既降低了PTFE的磨损量，增大了表面硬度，又提高了耐冲击强度。对其作用机理进行了分析和探讨，为材料的性能优化提供理论依据。     

聚四氟乙烯基减摩复合材料配方优化

以聚四氟乙烯为主体材料,加入石墨、铜粉、碳纤维等粉末作为填充剂,进行减摩复合材料配方优化设计。采用均匀设计法确定了聚四氟乙烯基减摩复合材料各配料实验点的分布,用样条函数对均匀设计法所设计配方得出的摩擦因数进行拟合,找出配料与摩擦因数的关系,建立配方优化拟合曲线,最后在拟合曲线上选取具有代表性的试验点进行验证试验,达到优化的目的。试验结果表明：配方中单独添加铜粉或石墨时,减摩复合材料的摩擦因数均较高,说明石墨和铜粉必须配合使用;当铜粉和石墨各为30份时,及铜粉为60份,石墨为15、25、30份时,材料的摩擦因数在整个配方体系中均较低;得到的配方优化拟合曲线趋势符合实际,可以用于指导生产。     

基于液压往复密封的聚醚醚酮性能研究及其应用

针对液压往复密封的低摩擦、高耐磨、耐高压抗挤出、耐液压油等独特工况条件,采用聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)和碳纤维对聚醚醚酮(PEEK)材料进行填充改性,研究改性PEEK材料的力学性能和摩擦磨损性能,并与填料改性PTFE材料进行比较。通过结构设计和有限元仿真分析,对改性PEEK材料与弹性体材料组合的密封件在不同温度下的密封性能进行了模拟和分析,并通过密封功能试验对模拟分析结果进行了验证。结果发现:质量分数20%PTFE填充改性PEEK材料的摩擦因数最低,且其对金属摩擦副无损伤,更适用于液压往复密封;组合密封能有效克服PEEK材料弹性性能差、安装困难的不足。有限元仿真分析结果表明,组合密封在不同温度下能很好适应42 MPa的压力。密封功能试验表明,组合密封比单一PEEK材料密封的启动摩擦力小、泄漏率低,证明改性PEEK材料可替代聚四氟乙烯和尼龙材料应用在液压往复密封领域。