An investigation of friction and wear performances of bonded molybdenum disulfide solid film lubricants in fretting conditions

The friction and wear performances of bonded MoS₂ solid film lubricants with the counterpart steel ball rubbing were investigated in fretting wear conditions in order to inquire into the load-carrying capacity and wear mechanisms of bonded MoS₂ solid film lubricants under dry friction conditions. Experimental results show that the bonded MoS₂ solid film lubricants have excellent anti-friction and wear-resistance performances within a wide load range between 20 N and 800 N and within a wide oscillatory frequency range between 5 Hz and 30 Hz. It is found through analyses of the transfer films formed in the surface of the counterpart steel ball investigated by SEM, XPS and AES, that the thickness of the transfer film formed is about 38 nm and the oxidation of MoS₂ in the transfer films does not occur during dry friction process. The high load and frequency promote the formation of a compact transfer films. The compact transfer films are believed to be the predominant mechanism giving rise to high load-carrying capacity, and excellent wear-resistance performances of the bonded MoS₂ solid film lubricants.     

Mechanical and tribological properties of phenolic resin-based friction composites filled with several inorganic fillers

The calcined petroleum coke (CPC), talcum powder (TP) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) were used as the friction modifiers to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of phenolic resin-based friction composites (the resin matrix was coded as PHE). Thus the composites filled with the inorganic particulates of laminar structures were prepared by compression molding. The hardness and bending strength of the friction composites were measured. The tribological properties of the composites sliding against cast iron were evaluated using a pin-on-disc test rig. The morphologies of the worn surfaces of the composites and the transfer films on the counterpart cast iron disc were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, and the elemental plane distributions on the transfer films were analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). It was found that the friction composites of different compositions showed different friction and wear behaviors, which was highly dependent on the volume fractions of the friction modifiers in the composites. Namely, the inclusion of CPC, h-BN, and TP at a volume fraction of 10% helped to greatly increase the bending strength and wear resistance of the composites, and in these cases the coefficients of friction for the composites were ranged within 0.43–0.47. In particular, the PHE-based composite with 10% h-BN had excellent friction stability at various testing conditions and showed the best wear resistance above 125 °C, which was attributed to the formation of a compact friction film (third-body-layer) on the rubbing surface of the composite and of a durable transfer film on the rubbing surface of the counterpart cast iron. The PHE-based composite with 10% CPC showed the best wear resistance below 125 °C, which was ascribed to the same reasons mentioned above. The different actions of various friction modifiers in terms of their effects on the friction and wear behavior of the phenolic resin-based friction composites could be related to their different bonding strengths with the resin matrix and their different abilities to form friction films (third-body-layer) on the surfaces of the composites and transfer films on the counterpart cast iron surface as well.     

Sliding wear performance of nano-SiO2/short carbon fiber/epoxy hybrid composites

In the present work, epoxy based composites filled with hybrid nano-SiO₂ particles and short pitch based carbon fiber were prepared. Copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride was grafted onto the nanoparticles prior to the compounding so that the nanoparticles can be covalently connected to the composites’ matrix through the reaction between anhydride and epoxide groups during curing. Consequently, the nano-SiO₂/matrix interfacial interaction was enhanced. By evaluating sliding wear properties of the composites as a function of the components concentrations, positive synergetic effect was found. That is, both wear rate and friction coefficient of the hybrid composites were significantly lower than those of the composites containing individual nano-SiO₂ or short carbon fiber. The composite with 4 wt.% nano-SiO₂ and 6 wt.% carbon fiber offered the greatest improvement of the tribological performance. Compared to the results of hybrid composites reported so far, the above composite is characterized by relatively lower filler content, which would facilitate processing in practice. Increased surface hardness, lubricating effect of the sheet-like wear debris reinforced by nano-SiO₂ and rapidly formed transfer film were believed to be the key issues accounting for the remarkable wear resisting and friction reducing behaviors.     

Friction and wear behavior of three-dimensional braided carbon fiber/epoxy composites under dry sliding conditions

Sliding friction and wear characteristics of three-dimensional (3-D) braided carbon fabric reinforced epoxy resin (C_3D/EP) composites were investigated. Tests were performed on a MM200 tester under normal loads of 50, 150, and 250 N and velocities of 0.42 and 0.84 m/s. A quenched medium carbon steel with a hardness of HRC 52 was used as the counterpart material. The specific wear rate and the coefficient of friction were examined as a function of testing conditions (load, velocity, and sliding distance) and material parameters (fiber volume fraction and fiber–matrix bonding). The results showed that the coefficient of friction and the specific wear rate changed considerably during the running-in period and reached stable values at the steady wear stage. Fiber volume fraction and testing conditions (load and velocity) affected the wear more significantly than the friction. It was also found that fiber–matrix bonding had an impact on the friction and wear of the 3-D composites. Furthermore, the specific wear rate decreased with the increase in the product of load and velocity. Worn surfaces and debris were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and wear mechanisms were discussed in this study.     

Friction and wear behaviors of C/C-SiC composites containing Ti3SiC2

In the present paper, friction and wear behaviors of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon–silicon carbide–titanium silicon carbide (C-SiC–Ti₃SiC₂) hybrid matrix composites fabricated by slurry infiltration and liquid silicon infiltration were studied for potential application as brake materials. The properties were compared with those of C/C-SiC composites. The composites containing Ti₃SiC₂ had not only higher friction stability coefficient but also much higher wear resistance than C/C-SiC composites. At an initial braking speed of 28 m/s under 0.8 MPa pressure, the weight wear rate of the composites containing 5 vol% Ti₃SiC₂ was 5.55 mg/cycle, which was only one-third of C/C-SiC composites. Self-lubricious film-like debris was formed on the composites containing Ti₃SiC₂, leading to the improvement of friction and wear properties. The effect of braking speed and braking pressure on the tribological properties of modified composites were investigated. The average friction coefficient was significantly affected by braking speed and braking pressure, but the wear rate was less affected by braking pressure.     

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.     

Optimization of surface treatment to enhance fiber–matrix interface and performance of composites

Oxidation treatment with concentrated HNO₃ was employed to the carbon fabric (CF) for various time intervals (30–180 min) to observe the effect of treatment on two simultaneous processes involved viz. improvement in its adhesion with the matrix and reduction of fiber strength which in turn is responsible for change in the performance properties of composites. Seven composites with untreated and acid treated CF were developed based on the polyetherimide (PEI) matrix and evaluated for adhesive wear properties under various loads (200–600 N) against mild steel disc. 90 min treated CF composite indicated the best tribological properties and showed 30% reduction in specific wear rate (K₀) and 23% in coefficient of friction (μ) respectively at 600 N load. Treatment beyond this time proved detrimental for improvement in properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed increase in roughness with treatment time, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies indicated substantial increase in roughness value. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of worn surfaces supported the wear mechanisms and improvement in adhesion between fiber and matrix.     

Carbon fabric reinforced polyetherimide composites: Optimization of fabric content for best combination of strength and adhesive wear performance

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based high strength carbon fabric (plain weave) reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) composites were fabricated using impregnation technique by selecting five different contents of carbon fabric, viz. 85, 75, 65, 55 and 40 vol.%. These bidirectional (BD) composites were evaluated for their mechanical strength as well as tribological behavior in adhesive wear mode. Dry adhesive wear studies were conducted on a custom designed wear tester in which high PV conditions can be simulated. Tests were conducted at various operating parameters such as load, temperature and orientation of fabric with respect to the sliding plane. Two important results were observed; firstly the moderate CF contents (75, 65 and 55 vol.%) proved to be the most effective in manifold increase in mechanical strength of PEI and secondly, the composites with fabric in the direction normal to sliding plane led to very high coefficient of friction (μ). When fabric was parallel to the sliding plane, significant improvement in the tribo-properties of PEI in terms of very high tribo-utility (up to 600 N), appreciably low μ and enhanced wear resistance (W_R) (in the range of 10⁻¹⁶ m³/N m) was achieved. The extent of improvement, however, strongly depended on the operating parameters and fabric content. A fairly good correlation was obtained between W_R and combination of mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength (S), and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). Wear mechanism studies by SEM supported the observed wear performance of composites.     

Break-away friction of PTFE materials in lubricated conditions

This study investigates the tribological characteristics at initiation of sliding (break-away friction) of several polytetrafluoroethylene based materials. Four PTFE composites, pure PTFE, and white metal were tested in a reciprocating tribo-meter with the block on plate configuration against a steel counter-surface. Apparent contact pressure and oil temperature were varied from 1 to 8 MPa and 25 to 85 °C respectively. SEM investigations revealed wear patterns of the PTFE materials and the abrasive nature of hard fillers.Bronze filled, carbon filled, and pure PTFE were found to provide lower break-away friction and less variation over the course of testing and generally superior properties.     

Tribological behaviors of hierarchical porous PEEK composites with mesoporous titanium oxide whisker

Hierarchical porous PEEK self-lubricating composites were prepared by mold-leaching and vacuum melting process under high temperature. The tribological behaviors were investigated for the porous PEEK composite and the porous composite after incorporating micro-porogen (NaCl) and mesoporous titanium oxide whiskers. If only micro-porogen was incorporated, the lowest steady state specific wear rate was observed for PEEK composites filled with 30% NaCl. Based on this porous PEEK composite, the effects of mesoporous titanium oxide whiskers and non-perforated titanium oxide whiskers on the friction and wear properties of PEEK composites were studied. Results showed that nano-micro porous PEEK composites with 30 wt% micro-porogen and 5 wt% mesoporous titanium oxide whiskers reached the lowest friction coefficient and specific wear rate, which were recorded as 0.0194 and 2.135×10^–16 m³/Nm under the load of 200 N. Compared with 15 wt% carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK composite which is widely used in industry, the wear resistance of the designed hierarchical porous PEEK composite increased by 41 times, showing outstanding wear resistance.     

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.     

Fretting wear behaviors of nanometer Al2O3 and SiO2 reinforced PEEK composites

The influence of diameter and content of Al₂O₃ particles on the tribological behaviors under fretting wear mode was investigated. The surface of PEEK composite and steel ball were examined by SEM and EDS, to identify the topography of wear scar and analyze the distribution of chemical elements in the friction counterparts, respectively. It can be found that the filling of Al₂O₃ powder improves the fretting wear resistance of PEEK composite. With the increase of Al₂O₃ diameter, the area of wear scar on specimen increases first and decreases afterward. However, the wear of composites increases monotonically with increasing Al₂O₃ content. Although the filling of 10 wt.% and 200 nm PTFE powder in PEEK makes the lowest wear of all specimens, no synergistic effect was found when Al₂O₃ and PTFE were filled into PEEK composite together. For the friction pair of PEEK composite and steel ball, abrasive wear and adhesive wear dominate the fretting wear mechanism during fretting. Thermal effect plays a very important role during fretting; thus the property of temperature resistance for polymer material would affect the wear degree on the surface of wear scar.     

Characterization and tribological investigation of sol–gel ceramic films on Ti–6Al–4V

SiO₂, TiO₂, and hydroxyapatite (HA) thin films with good biocompatibility were grown on Ti–6Al–4V (coded as TC4) substrate by sol–gel and dip-coating processes from specially formulated sols, followed by annealing at 500 °C The chemical states of some typical elements in the target films were detected by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are applied to characterize the original unworn films. The tribological properties of thin films sliding against an AISI52100 steel ball were evaluated on a reciprocating friction and wear tester. As the result, the target films composed of nano-particles ranging from 30 nm to 100 nm around were obtained. All the sol–gel ceramic films are superior in resisting wear compared with the TC4 substrate. Among all, HA film shows the best resistance while SiO₂ film shows the worst wear resistance both under higher (3 N) and lower load (1 N). TiO₂ shows good wear resistance under lower load (1 N). SEM observation of the morphologies of worn surfaces indicates that the wear of TC4 is characteristic of abrasive wear. Differently, abrasion, plastic deformation and micro-fracture dominate the wear of ceramic films. The superior friction reduction and wear resistance of HA film is greatly due to the slight plastic deformation of the film. It is supposed that the deformation of the HA film is closely related to the special arrangement of the nano-particles and microstructure. HA film is recommended for clinical application from the point of wear resistance view.     

Effect of SiC particles on the friction and wear behavior of Ti3Si(Al)C2-based composites

The non-lubricated, sliding friction and wear behavior of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ and SiC-reinforced Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ composites against AISI 52100 bearing steel ball were investigated using a ball-on-flat, reciprocating tribometer at room temperature. The contact load was varied from 5 to 20 N. For monolithic Ti₃Si(Al)C₂, high friction coefficients between 0.61 and 0.90 and wear rates between 1.79 × 10⁻³ and 2.68 × 10⁻³ mm³ (N m)⁻¹ were measured. With increasing SiC content in the composites, both the friction coefficients and the wear rates were significantly decreased. The friction coefficients reduced to a value between 0.38 and 0.50, and the wear rates to between 2.64 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.93 × 10⁻⁵ mm³ (N m)⁻¹ when the SiC content ranged from 10 to 30 vol.%. The enhanced wear resistance of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ is mainly attributed to the facts that the hard SiC particles inhibit the plastic deformation and fracture of the soft matrix, the oxide debris lubricate the counterpair, and the wear mode converts from adhesive wear to abrasive wear during dry sliding.     

Tribological characterisation of siliconcarbonitride ceramics derived from preceramic polymers

Amorphous SiCN ceramics were prepared in a laboratory scale as disk shaped specimens with 10 mm diameter and 0.3 mm thickness. The friction and wear behaviour was characterised in gross slip fretting tests under unlubricated conditions at room temperature against steel (100Cr6) and ceramic (Al₂O₃). Tests with a ball-on-disk contact were performed in laboratory air with different content of water vapour. The results show clearly that the relative humidity has a significant effect on friction and wear behaviour. All tests in dry air lead to higher friction and higher wear rate than in normal air. Improved friction and wear behaviour was observed with increasing pyrolysis temperature up to 1100 °C of the SiCN specimens. This is attributed to increasingly better mechanical properties and higher stiffness of the amorphous network due to the evaporation of gaseous organic species and the formation of free graphite like carbon.     

Tribological characterization of tungsten nitride coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering

The structure, hardness, friction and wear of tungsten nitrides prepared by d.c. reactive magnetron sputtering were investigated. The coatings were deposited with different nitrogen to argon ratios; the total pressure was kept constant. The tribological tests were performed on a pin-on-disc tribometer in terrestrial atmosphere with 100Cr6 steel, Al₂O₃ and Si₃N₄ balls as sliding counter-bodies. The wear tracks, the ball-wear scars and the wear debris were analysed by scanning electron microscopy in order to characterize the dominant wear mechanisms.The coatings exhibited different phases as a function of the nitrogen content: films with low N content exhibited the α-W phase; β-W phase was dominant for nitrogen contents from 12 to 15 at.% and β-W₂N was observed for nitrogen content higher that 30 at.%. The mechanical and tribological properties of the tungsten nitride coatings were strongly influenced by the structure. The hardness and the Young's modulus values were in the ranges (29–39 GPa) and (300–390 GPa), respectively; the lowest values correspond to the coatings with the highest nitrogen content. Generally, the friction and wear rate of tungsten nitride coatings sliding against ceramic balls increased with nitrogen content reaching a maximum at 12 at.%; further increase of the nitrogen content led to a decrease of the friction and wear. The sliding with the steel balls did not wear the coatings under the selected testing conditions.     

Tribological properties of γ-Y2Si2O7 ceramic against AISI 52100 steel and Si3N4 ceramic counterparts

Reciprocating ball-on-flat dry sliding friction and wear experiments have been conducted on single-phase γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ ceramic flats in contact with AISI 52100 bearing steel and Si₃N₄ ceramic balls at 5–15 N normal loads in an ambient environment. The kinetic friction coefficients of γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ varied in the range over 0.53–0.63 against AISI 52100 steel and between 0.51–0.56 against Si₃N₄ ceramic. We found that wear occurred predominantly during the running-in period and it almost ceased at the steady friction stage. The wear rates of γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ were in the order of 10^?4 mm³/(N m). Besides, wear debris strongly influenced the friction and wear processes. The strong chemical affinity between γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ and AISI 52100 balls led to a thick transfer layer formed on both contact surfaces of the flat and counterpart ball, which changed the direct sliding between the ball and the flat into a shearing within the transfer layer. For the γ-Y₂Si₂O₇/Si₃N₄ pair, a thin silica hydrate lubricant tribofilm presented above the compressed debris entrapped in the worn track and contact ball surface. This transfer layer and the tribofilm separated the sliding couple from direct contact and contributed to the low friction coefficient and wear rate.     

A comparison of the reciprocating sliding wear behaviour of steel based metal matrix composites processed from self-propagating high-temperature synthesised Fe–TiC and Fe–TiB2 masteralloys

Steel matrix particulate composites were processed by direct addition of various powders to molten medium carbon steel. Fe–TiC and Fe–TiB₂ powders were produced using a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction and consisted of a dispersion of fine TiC (5–10 μm) and TiB₂ particles (2–5 μm), respectively in an iron binder.Addition of the Fe–TiC powder to the steel resulted in the formation of a metal matrix composite containing a homogeneous dispersion of TiC particles. However, addition of the Fe–TiB₂ powder resulted in the formation of a parasitic Fe₂B phase and TiC within the steel microstructure. In response to this an SHS masteralloy composed of Fe–(50% TiB₂+50%Ti) was manufactured which, when added to steel, prevented the formation of Fe₂B and resulted in a composite containing a mixture of TiB₂ and TiC particles.Dry reciprocating sliding wear behaviour of the three composite materials and their unreinforced counterpart was investigated at room temperature against a white cast iron counterface. Relative wear behaviour of the materials varied as a function of load. In all cases, the composite manufactured by addition of Fe–TiB₂ (yielding Fe₂B and TiC phases in the steel) exhibited wear rates greater than three times that of the unreinforced alloy. However, improvements in wear resistance over the base steel of up to two and a half times were observed with the other composites where the desired TiC and/or TiB₂ phases were retained in the steel. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to interpret wear behaviour in relation to both the as-cast microstructures of the composites and the wear scar microstructures observed.     

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.     

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.