The effect of lubricant additives on friction and wear studies of polyphenylene sulphide

Polyphenylene sulphide is a polymer with good thermal stability and high crystallinity. This paper summarizes the results of friction and wear studies of polyphenylene sulphide and its composites made with conventional solid lubricants to ascertain the suitability of the material as a matrix for solid lubricant additives. The polymer itself has a high coefficient of friction. Wear rate increases with load and speed. Addition of solid lubricant additives helps in improving the friction and wear of the polymer. Composites with MoS₂-Sb₂O₃ and PTFE gave better results than composites made by the addition of graphite and MoS₂ graphite. Wear rate of these composites increased with load and speed; but load and speed had little effect on friction.