Tribological effects of polymer surface modification through plastic deformation

The efficacy of using polymers in cylindrical applications depends closely on its surface friction and wear characteristics. In this regard, a surface modification technique through plastic deformation has been implemented. Roller burnishing is commonly used to improve the surface quality of non-ferrous surfaces, but no work showed concern about roller burnishing as a polymer surface treatment process. The objective of the present work is to investigate the influence of burnishing force and burnishing speed on the friction and wear performance of acetal homopolymer and polyurethane under dry and lubricated sliding conditions. The results reveal that the coefficient of friction and wear rate decreased to a minimum value and then increased as higher burnishing force and speed were applied. It was shown that roller burnishing had favourable prospective to be utilized as a valuable polymer surface treatment technique.