Investigation and Development of Tribological Behavior of PEEK and PEEK Composites

Abstract

Present work describes the development and characterization of a new class of hybrid polymer composites consisting of Polyether-ether-keton (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Bronze and MoS2. The effects of various contact temperatures on the tribological properties of PTFE/PEEK composites were studied under dry as well as wet friction conditions. Moreover, the influence of various pressures on the friction and wear behaviors of the PTFE/PEEK composites was investigated. PEEK is a semi-crystalline polymer used as special engineering plastic due to its excellent mechanical capacity, good chemical and thermal stability. PEEK composites are often used as compressor piston rings or valve slices for their outstanding mechanical and thermal performance at high temperature conditions, where PTFE composites may fail to service. However, high friction coefficient and wear rate of pure PEEK limit its wider use many researchers found that PEEK is good in mechanical characteristic but less good performances of tribological properties. However PTFE shows better performances of tribological properties. The effect on the friction and wear behaviors of PEEK polymer composites has been improved, with addition of PTFE at room temperature. There are various operation performed in industry by different machine parts such as high pressure compressor, bearings, impeller etc. which causes wear due to heavy loading conditions and at ambient temperature. The objective of this work is to study the friction and wear properties of PEEK filled with different filler material at heavy loading conditions and at ambient temperature to enhance tribological behavior of PEEK without loss of mechanical properties.