Cryogenic friction behavior of PTFE based solid lubricant composites

Solid lubricants used in aerospace applications must provide low friction and a predictable operation life over an extreme range of temperatures, environments and contact conditions. PTFE and PTFE composites have shown favorable tribological performance as solid lubricants. This study evaluates the effect of temperature on the friction coefficient of neat PTFE, a PTFE/ PEEK composite and an expanded PTFE (ePTFE)/epoxy coating. These experiments evaluate friction coefficient over a temperature span which, to the investigators’ knowledge, has not been previously examined. Results show a monotonic increase in friction coefficient as sample surface temperature was decreased from 317 to 173 K for all three samples. The frictional performance of these and other published solid lubricant polymers was modeled using an adjusted Arrhenius equation, which correlates the coefficient of friction of the polymer materials to their viscoelastic behavior. A model fit of all the polymer data from 173 to 450 K gives an activation energy of 3.7 kJ/mol. This value suggests that breaking of van der Waals bonds is the likely mechanism responsible for the frictional behavior over this temperature range.