Surface topography and wear mechanisms in polyamide 66 and its composites

A study has been made of the tribological behaviour of polyamide 66 (PA66) running against itself, in unlubricated, non-conformal and rolling-sliding contact. Tests were conducted over a wide range of loads and slip ratios using a twin-disc test rig. The wear and friction behaviour of unreinforced PA66 is dominated mainly by three major features: a critical slip ratio under a fixed load and running speed, macro-transverse cracks and a layer of film on the contact surface. Both the wear and friction properties of unreinforced PA66 can be improved considerably by filling with 20wt% PTFE, and the tribological mechanisms are changed significantly. This reinforcement prevents both the initiation and propagation of transverse cracks on the contact surfaces which occurred in the unreinforced material. It also decreases both the wear rate and the friction coefficient substantially. The 30wt% short glass-fibre reinforced PA66 also suppresses the transverse cracks from initiation on the surfaces. A thin film on the contact surfaces plays a dominant role in reducing wear and friction of the composite and in suppressing the transverse cracks. These results offer the prospect of enhanced applicability of PA66 in engineering components.