Nano and Micro PTFE for Surface Lubrication of Carbon Fabric Reinforced Polyethersulphone Composites

Abstract Carbon fibre/fabric (CF) is a privileged reinforcement for advanced polymer composites in tribological applications where performance is primary criteria rather than the cost due to the combination of distinct properties such as high specific strength, thermo-oxidative resistance, thermal and electrical conductivity along with self-lubricity etc. However problems associated with its chemical inertness and surface lipophobicity towards majority of matrix materials need special attention, as these directly affect final properties of a composite. From tribological point of view, surface engineering of composites is very much advantageous in addition to fibrous reinforcement. This chapter reports on the newly developed technique to modify the surface of carbon fabric—Polyethersulphone (CF-PES) composite with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micro and nano particles; to improve the tribological properties. Prior to the composite preparation plasma treatment was employed for CF surface modification to promote fiber matrix interfacial adhesion and mechanical interlocking which further improves final composites strength and wear resistance properties. Both the treatment methods; first for fiber surface alteration and secondly for composite surface, proved beneficial to enhance composites performance. The inclusion of nano scale PTFE particles on the surface of a composite proved to be more efficient than the micro-scale PTFE particles to improve tribo-performance of CF-PES composite. Nano and Micro PTFE for Surface Lubrication of Carbon Fabric Reinforced Polyethersulphone Composites