Modeling of contact temperatures and their influence on the tribological performance of PEEK and PTFE in a dual-pin-on-disk tribometer

Abstract The direct blending of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) with a solid lubricant such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) improves its tribological performance, but compromises outstanding mechanical properties and processability. While these negative effects might be circumvented via the hybrid wear method, influence contact temperature between multiple sliding components acting together is not fully understood. Herein, an analytical model considering both micro- macro-thermal behavior extended to predict dual-pin-on-disk system. interactions several heat sources are investigated experimentally verified. results show that nominal rise shared track determined by combined effect generated pin components, while in flash at region each component dependent upon individual characteristics working conditions. Hence, different peaks can coexist track, maximum value dominates performance For PEEK-PTFE-steel system, formation tribofilms blocked, system fails, when peak exceeds glass transition pins due increase applied load.