Friction and Wear Performance of Glass Fiber Reinforced Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone Composite against Different Polymer Counterparts

In tribological applications, because of the corrosive problems of the metals in water applications, poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and its composites are preferred for rubbing materials. As it is known PEEK is a high performance semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer and has received significant attention in recent years. This is due to its high mechanical strength and elastic modulus, high toughness, chemical inertness, high melting temperature, easy processing, and wear resistance. Therefore, poly-ether-ether-ketone polymer material plays a more important role as a bearing and sliding material [1-2]. Lots of studies on the tribological properties of PEEK have been reported [3-11]. Most studies published in the literature were in the friction and wear of polymers sliding against steels in dry conditions. The coefficient of friction can, generally, be reduced, and the wear resistance can be improved by selecting the right material combinations [1213]. Usually, tribological phenomena lead to a loss of mechanical efficiency. So, the accurate knowledge of the influence of applied load, sliding speed and contact temperature on the friction and wear is extremely important [14]. The purposes of this investigation are to clarify the tribological characteristics of 30 wt. % glass fiber reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone composite sliding against poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE) filled poly-etherimide (PEI) blend and 40% glass fiber reinforced PPS composite under dry sliding conditions. Tribological tests versus PTFE filled PEI blend and 40% glass fiber reinforced PPS composite were carried out on a pin-on-disc arrangement. Tribological tests were at room temperature under 0.707MPa, 1.42MPa and 2.12MPa applied pressure and at 0.5 m/s sliding speed. The specific wear rates were realized from mass loss and were reported.