Comparative Study on the Frequency and Wear of Thermoplastic Polymeric Materials Based on PTFE

Abstract

The widespread use of thermoplastic polymeric materials in various industrial fields has shown considerable interest in understanding the frictional and wear behavior. Among these polymers, polytetrafluoroethylene, also called PTFE, is a high-performance plastic that offers high chemical and thermal resistance and low friction. Additives such as fiberglass, carbon and graphite fillers are added to PTFE to significantly increase thermal conductivity, stiffness and self-lubricating properties. The materials subjected to the experimental analysis were pure PTFE, PTFE + 15% fiberglass, PTFE + carbon-graphite which slipped, under conditions of dry friction, on a sample of non-alloy steel construction SR EN 10025 from 1994. The tests were performed on a pin-on-disc tribometer. The effect of loading and sliding speed on the tribological properties of the polymer / steel combination under dry slip conditions was investigated and the specific wear rate for the experimental conditions was evaluated. The tests were performed at loads of the pin of Fn1=1N, Fn2=3N, Fn3=5N and Fn4=10N and sliding speeds of 1=1m/s, 2=3m/s. The results obtained indicated that the coefficient of friction decreases with increasing load. The wear rate for the analyzed materials was between 10-13...10-15 m2/N, the fiberglass reinforced PTFE material having the lowest wear rate. The present paper, through a comparative analysis of the friction and wear behavior, highlights the effects that the ingredients introduced in the basic material have, under the action of the exploitation factors (loading, sliding speed).