An Investigation of Friction and Wear Behavior of Hybrid Polymer Composites

In automobile and consumer product industries, companies require long-life reliable, lightweight, and high performance self-lubricating composite materials, properties of these materials are promising materials for guide-ways, bearings, bushes, and piston rings that demand low friction and wear in the absence of wet lubrication. The present work investigates the tribological properties of hybrid composites. PEEK, PTFE reinforced with some new additives. Tribological tests are conducted at different temperatures on tribometer under dry sliding conditions and different environmental temperatures (room temperature) to elevated temperature. The experimental tests were conducted as per standard duration according to work conditions for all specimens. The hybrid composite exhibited lower friction and lower wear rate than those of without hybrid composite materials at both low and elevated temperatures. The combined effect of solid-state lubrication of hybrid PTFE composite was found satisfactory at higher temperature. Dominating friction and wear mechanisms in the hybrid polymer composites at the different temperatures were exhibited to get PTFE adhesion. Formation of transfer films on the steel surface was also analyzed at various temperatures.