Effect of nanoparticles on the tribological behaviour of short carbon fibre reinforced poly(etherimide) composites

The tribological behaviour of nano-TiO₂ particle filled polyetherimide (PEI) composites, reinforced additionally with short carbon fibre (SCF) and lubricated internally with graphite flakes, was investigated. The wear tests were conducted on a pin-on-disc apparatus, using composite pins against polished steel counterparts under dry sliding conditions, different contact pressures and various sliding velocities. It was found that the conventional fillers, i.e. SCF and graphite flakes, could remarkably improve both the wear resistance and the load-carrying capacity. With the addition of nano-TiO₂, the frictional coefficient and the contact temperature of the composite were further reduced, especially under high pv (the product of the normal pressure, p, and the sliding velocity, v) conditions. Based on microscopic observations of worn surfaces and transfer films on the counterparts, possible wear mechanisms were discussed.     

Tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites: Part II. A combinative effect of short carbon fibre with nano-TiO2

In our pervious studies [Z. Zhang, C. Breidt, L. Chang, F. Haupert, K. Friedrich, Enhancement of the wear resistance of epoxy: short carbon fibre, graphite, PTFE and nano-TiO₂, Composites A 35 (2004) 1385–1392; L. Chang, Z. Zhang, C. Breidt, K. Friedrich, Tribological properties of epoxy nanocomposites. I. Enhancement of the wear resistance by nano-TiO₂ particles, Wear 258 (1–4) (2005) 141–148], wear performances of a series of epoxy-based nanocomposites were systemically investigated by a pin-on-disk apparatus under different sliding conditions. The addition of spherical TiO₂ nanoparticles (300 nm in diameter) was found to be able to apparently reduce the frictional coefficient, and consequently to decrease the contact temperature and wear rate of fibre reinforced epoxy composites. To promote this conclusion, the present paper intends to further understand the wear mechanisms involved in micro- and nanoscales. Based on a scanning electron (SEM) and an atomic force (AFM) microscopy observations of the worn surfaces, a positive rolling effect of the nanoparticles between the material pairs was proposed, which led to the remarkable reduction of the frictional coefficient. In particular, this rolling effect protects the short carbon fibres from more severe wear mechanisms, especially at high sliding pressure and speed situations. In order to validate the assumption proposed, the influence of the counterpart roughness on the wear performance were carried out as well.     

Experimental Study on the Tribological Properties of Powder Lubrication under Plane Contact

Powder lubrication has been studied using a plane contact tribometer. Four kinds of powders—polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), graphite, MoS₂, and ball-like copper—were used during the experiments. The results show that powder can be introduced into frictional clearance without any special treatment. The powder's physical properties significantly influence the tribological characteristics in the powder lubrication. The friction coefficient and wear are obviously decreased when the powders are PTFE, graphite, and MoS₂, which are excellent solid lubricants. At lower load capacity, powder lubrication using ball-like copper had certain antifriction effects, but it rapidly became worse with increasing load capacity. Observation with optical microscopy showed that the lubricant film is dynamically formed on the rubbing surfaces in most experiments.     

Friction and wear characteristics of lead and its compounds filled polytetrafluoroethylene composites under oil lubricated conditions

The friction and wear properties of Pb, PbO, Pb₃O₄, or PbS filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites sliding against GCr15 bearing steel under both dry and liquid paraffin lubricated conditions were studied by using an MHK-500 ring-block wear tester. The worn surfaces and the transfer films of these PTFE composites formed on the surface of GCr15 bearing steel were then investigated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an optical microscope, respectively. Experimental results show that filling Pb, PbO, Pb₃O₄ or PbS to PTFE can greatly reduce the wear of the PTFE composites, but the wear reducing action of Pb₃O₄ is the most effective. Meanwhile, PbS increases the friction coefficient of the PTFE composite, but Pb and Pb₃O₄ reduce the friction coefficients of the PTFE composites. However, the friction and wear properties of lead or its compounds filled PTFE composites can be greatly improved by lubrication with liquid paraffin, and the friction coefficients of the PTFE composites can be decreased by one order of magnitude. Optical microscope investigation of transfer films shows that Pb, PbO, Pb₃O₄ and PbS enhance the adhesion of the transfer films to the surface of GCr15 bearing steel, so they greatly reduce the wear of the PTFE composites. However, the transfer of the PTFE composites onto the surface of GCr15 bearing steel can be greatly reduced by lubrication with liquid paraffin, but the transfer still takes place. SEM examination of worn surfaces shows that the interaction between liquid paraffin and the PTFE composites creates some cracks on the worn surfaces of the PTFE composites; the creation and development of the cracks reduces the load-carrying capacity of the PTFE composites, and this leads to deterioration of the friction and wear properties of the PTFE composites filled with lead or its compounds under higher loads in liquid paraffin lubrication.     

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。     

Tribological studies of epoxy and its composite coatings on steel in dry and lubricated sliding

Industrial lubricants are invariably used with additives (with high sulfur and phosphorous contents) for tribological performance enhancement. However, these additives are environmentally very harmful. Hence, there is an urgent need to find alternate solutions for enhancing the tribological performance of lubricants and components without the use of harmful additives. The objective of this work is to investigate the feasibility of using polymer composite coatings in enhancing the tribological properties of steel surfaces in dry and base oil lubricated conditions. Pure epoxy and its composite (with 10?wt-% of graphene or graphite powder) films were coated onto steel substrates and tested under dry and base oil lubricated conditions. Friction and wear experiments were conducted on a ball on cylinder tribometer between polymer/composite coated cylindrical steel surface (shaft) and an uncoated steel ball as the counterface. Tests were conducted at various normal loads and speeds. In dry condition at 3 N load and 0.63?m s^??1 sliding speed, the wear life of epoxy was increased by five times and coefficient of friction was nearly the same (0.18) on inclusion of graphene nanoparticle. In lubricated case, epoxy/graphene composite coating performed eight times and more than five times better than pure epoxy and epoxy/graphite respectively.     

Influence of Internal Lubricants (PTFE and Silicon Oil) in Short Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polyimide Composites on Performance Properties

Short carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic polyimides (30 wt%) often show high and unstable coefficients of friction. In this study, the effects of internal lubrication by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (15 wt%) or silicon oil (15 wt%) have been investigated using a reciprocating cylinder-on-plate test under 50–100 N normal loads and 0.3–1.2 m/s sliding velocities. The sliding mechanisms are discussed by considering mechanical and thermochemical modifications. The PTFE additives provide lowest coefficients of friction completely stabilising after a transition from mechanically into thermally controlled sliding at 120 °C. The sliding mechanisms and homogeneous transfer films are mainly controlled by plasticisation rather than easy-shear of its lamellar structure that is hindered by fibre reinforcement. Thermoplastic lubricants decrease the mechanical strength and therefore cause deformation and highest wear rates under 200 N. Internal oil lubricants do not reduce coefficients of friction at mild to intermediate normal loads and sliding velocities, while they become most efficient at severe sliding conditions, augmenting the pv-limit. While coefficients of friction match uniquely to the pv-conditions, the wear rates are mainly influenced by the load level: the lowest wear rates are provided by PTFE at low to intermediate pv-conditions and by oil lubricants under high normal loads.     

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 tribological behaviour of glass filled polytetrafluoroethylene

Polymers and polymer composites are steadily gaining ground over metals in the field of engineering applications in tribology. Laboratory wear tests were carried out under ambient temperatures with no lubricant as well as in distilled water at an average sliding velocity of 0.2 m/s and contact pressures of 2.6–6.4 MPa. Three forms of glass viz. glass fibres, glass beads and glass flakes, each with a content of 25% weight were used in this study. Both hollow and solid glass beads were used. The sliding wear of the different glass filled PTFE composites was dependent on their ability to form transfer films on the counterface. The glass bead filled PTFE showed comparatively thicker films and higher wear rates than other forms of glass filled grades. The glass fibres and solid glass beads showed the lowest wear whilst hollow beads showed the highest under both low and high pressures due to crumbling and crushing of the beads during the sliding process. The glass flake filled PTFE showed relatively high but stable wear results up to 4.5 MPa above which the wear rate increased dramatically. A marginal increase in wear was achieved by using high aspect ratio glass fibres to the PTFE matrix. No correlation between the size of glass reinforcement and wear rate was established. The addition of a lamellar solid lubricant to the glass fibres reduced both the wear and friction of PTFE. The study of the transfer film growth by means of an optical microscope revealed that it was due to the mechanical interlocking of the polymer fragments into the metal asperity valleys. The compositional changes in the transfer film were studied by XPS which, among other things, showed presence of metal fluoride on the metal counterface.     

Tribological behaviour of polymeric coatings. Part I. Aramid particle‐reinforced epoxy nanocomposite systems

An epoxy‐based nanocomposite containing a low concentration of nanometric TiO₂ (4 vol. %), graphite powder (7.21 vol. %), and 2–14 vol. % aramid particles was developed as a coating material. The mechanical and tribological performance of the composites was investigated. The epoxy filled only with TiO₂ possessed significantly improved impact strength and flexural properties, whereas the further incorporation of graphite and aramid particles had a deleterious effect on most of the mechanical properties, except the modulus. The tribological behaviour of the composites was tested in sliding and fretting modes. Under sliding conditions, the addition of nanometric TiO₂ alone significantly improved the wear resistance and decreased the coefficient of friction compared to the neat epoxy. The sliding wear and friction behaviour was further enhanced with the incorporation of graphite and aramid particles. Contrary to the sliding wear behaviour, the fretting wear and friction behaviour was worse for the epoxy filled only with TiO₂, but was significantly enhanced by the incorporation of graphite and aramid particles. The optimum aramid particle content for sliding and fretting wear of the epoxy‐based nanocomposite was determined as 10 vol. %.     

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.     

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.     

Ultra-High Tribological Performance of Magnetron Sputtered a-C:H Films in Sand-Dust Environment

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films were prepared on AISI 440C steel substrates using a RF magnetron sputtering graphite target in the CH₄ and Ar mixture atmosphere. The friction and wear behavior of a-C:H films were comparatively investigated by pin-on-disc tester under dry sliding and simulated sand-dust wear conditions. In addition, the effects of applied load, amount of sand and sand particle sizes on the tribological performance of a-C:H films were systemically studied. Results show that a-C:H films exhibited ultra-high tribological performance with low friction coefficient and ultra-low wear rate under sand-dust environments. It is very interesting to observe that the friction coefficient of a-C:H film under sand-dust conditions was relatively lower when compared with dry sliding condition, and the wear rate under sand-dust conditions kept at the same order of magnitude (×10⁻¹⁹ m³/N m) with the increase of applied load and particle size as a comparison with the dry sliding condition. Based on the formation of “ridge” layer (composite transfer layer), a transfer layer-hardening composite model was established to explain the anti-wear mechanisms and friction-reducing capacity of a-C:H solid lubrication films under sand-dust conditions.     

Tribological Properties of Organic Functionalized ZrB<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Epoxy Composites

The tribological behaviors of epoxy composites filled with organic functionalized ZrB₂–Al₂O₃ were environmentally investigated and compared with those with as-received fillers under both dry and oil sliding conditions in this work. The worn surfaces and the transfer films on the counterparts were characterized by scanning electronic microscope (SEM), and the frictional temperature rising was investigated by infrared thermometer. The results demonstrated that the coefficient of friction (CoF), the wear rate, as well as the frictional temperature rise of the epoxy composites were all decreased due to the introduction of ZrB₂–Al₂O₃ fillers. And with the increase in filler content, similar variation tendencies of CoF and wear rate of epoxy composites were observed under the different sliding conditions. Besides, the organic functionalization of ZrB₂–Al₂O₃ fillers, which made the epoxy composites exhibit lower CoF and wear rate than those with as-received fillers, lowered the frictional temperature as well. In comparison, the epoxy composites filled with 5 vol% modified fillers presented better tribological properties, suggesting a stronger interfacial bonding between modified fillers and epoxy matrix. The dominant wear mechanisms of filled composites under dry and oil sliding conditions could be inferred as the combination of adhesive wear and abrasive wear and the fatigue wear, respectively, on the basis of SEM images of worn surfaces.     

The friction and wear properties of polytetrafluoroethylene filled with ultrafine diamond

The friction and wear properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with ultrafine diamond (UFD) were studied in detail on a block-on-ring wear tester under dry sliding conditions. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to research microstructure of the purchased UFD and the purified UFD. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were utilized to investigate material microstructures and examine modes of failure. Experimental results showed that there was no significant change in coefficient of friction, but the wear rate of the PTFE composite was orders of magnitude less than that of pure PTFE with increasing purified UFD content. Analysis of SEM indicated UFD in PTFE matrix had effects of loading-carry and increasing formation of transfer films on the steel counterpart surface as well as inhabiting generation of bigger debris. Furthermore, DSC disclosed that the PTFE composite with higher heat absorption capacity exhibited improved wear resistance. Wear mechanism was probably that UFD particles had a function of rolling bearing in frictional interface, and resulted in change of PTFE frictional form from single macromolecular sliding friction to a mixed form of sliding and rolling friction, accordingly UFD in PTFE could obviously decrease wear of pure PTFE.     

Tribological properties of metal-plastic multilayer composites under oil lubricated conditions

Three kinds of metal-plastic multilayer composites, which were composed of a steel backing, a middle layer of sintered porous bronze and a surface layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled by Pb or Cu₂O powders, were prepared. The friction and wear properties as well as the limiting pressure times velocity (PV) values of these metal-plastic multilayer composites sliding against 45 carbon steel under both dry and oil lubricated conditions were evaluated on a MPV-1500 friction tester with a steel axis rotating on a journal bearing. The worn surfaces of these metal-plastic multilayer composites and the transfer films formed on the surface of steel axis were examined by electron probe microscopy analysis (EPMA). Experimental results show that filling of Pb to PTFE reduces the friction coefficient and wear of the composite, while filling of Cu₂O to PTFE increases the friction coefficient but decreases the wear of the composite. The friction and wear properties as well as the limiting PV values of these metal-plastic multilayer composites can be greatly improved with the oil lubrication. EPMA investigations show that Pb and Cu₂O fillers preferentially transfer onto the surfaces of steel axis, which may enhance or deteriorate the adhesion between transfer films and steel surfaces. Meanwhile the transfer of these metal-plastic multilayer composites onto the steel surface can be greatly reduced with oil lubrication, which results in the remarkable decrease of the wear of these metal-plastic multilayer composites.     

A study on tribological behaviour of transfer films of PTFE/bronze composites

Transfer films of PTFE/bronze composites with 5–30% volume content of bronze were prepared using a RFT friction and wear tester on surface of AISI-1045 steel bar by different sliding time (5–60 min). Tribological properties of these transfer films were studied using a DFPM reciprocating tribometer in a point contacting configuration under normal loads of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 N. Thickness and surface morphology of the transfer films were investigated. It was found thickness of the transfer films slightly increased along with the increase of bronze content of corresponding composites. Increased sliding time of transfer film preparation is helpful to form transfer film with better ductibility and continuity, but sliding time almost has no effect on tribological properties of the transfer film. Higher bronze content in the composite improved tribological properties of the corresponding transfer film, i.e., reduced friction coefficient and prolonged wear life. All these transfer films are sensitive to load change. Their wear life becomes shorter along with the increase of load. SEM image of the worn surface show fatigue wear and adhesion wear have happened on the transfer film during the friction process. The author believe bronze in the transfer film effectively partaked in shear force applied on the transfer film and its good ductibility helped to improve tribological properties of the transfer films.     

Tribofilm Formation and Run-In Behavior in Ultra-Low-Wearing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Alumina Nanocomposites

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and alumina nanocomposites have been of great interest to the tribological community due to the significant reduction in wear imparted by filling PTFE with low weight percentages of alumina nanofillers. The mechanisms of these three order, four order, and sometimes five order of magnitude reductions in wear have been commonly explored through evaluation of a transfer film. The present article evaluates the tribofilm formed on the wear surface of the polymer. PTFE composites with 2, 5, and 8 wt% alumina fillers were tested to evaluate wear of the polymer and how it is affected by the tribofilms formed on the wear surface of the polymer. Furthermore, the link between a transient “run-in” wear period and the formation of that tribofilm is observed and discussed. Nanomechanical measurements of the tribofilm reveal significant alterations in the mechanical properties of the surface films formed during sliding.     

A study of the role of solid lubricant and fibrous reinforcement in modifying the wear performance of polyethersulphone

High‐temperature polymers are generally preferred for those tribology applications where cost is secondary and performance is the primary consideration. Since frictional heat dissipation limits the usefulness of polymers because of their poor thermal conductivity, high‐temperature polymers are preferred in applications which have harsh operating conditions. In this paper, a high‐temperature polymer, polyethersulphone (PES), was selected for some adhesive wear studies, along with two PES composites containing 18% glass‐fibre (GF) reinforcement and two solid lubricants, i.e., PTFE and MoS₂ (2% each). Adhesive wear studies of these materials on two pin‐on‐disc machines indicated that neat PES was not a good tribo‐material. However, incorporation of GF and solid lubricants enhanced the wear performance by an order of two. PTFE was found to behave better than MoS₂. However, after long sliding duration both the lubricants performed almost equally well. The topography of the surface of the pins and the disc was studied using SEM to investigate the wear mechanisms.     

Influence of solid lubricants and fibre reinforcement on wear behaviour of polyethersulphone

Polyethersulphone (PES), is an amorphous, brittle and high temperature engineering thermoplastic. Two composites of PES containing short glass fibres (GF) and solid lubricants viz. PTFE and MoS₂; and two composites containing short carbon fibre (CF) [30% and 40%] were selected for the present studies. Compositional analysis of selected materials was done with various techniques such as gravimetry, solvent extraction and thermal analysis viz. thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These materials were studied for adhesive and abrasive wear performance by sliding against a mild steel disc and silicon carbide abrasive paper respectively, under different loads. It was observed that GF reinforcement along with incorporation of solid lubricants (PTFE and MoS₂) enhanced the wear performance of PES by an order of two. In the case of solid lubricants, PTFE proved to be more beneficial than MoS₂. CF reinforcement, however, proved to be the most effective in enhancing wear performance of PES. PES reinforced with 40% CF exhibited a specific wear rate in the order of 10⁻¹⁶m³/Nm which is considered to be very good for the thermoplastic composite. In the case of abrasive wear behaviour, however, incorporation of fibres or solid lubricants deteriorated the performance of the neat matrix. SEM was employed to investigate the wear mechanisms.