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PEEK Composites as Self-Lubricating Bush Materials for Articulating Revolute Pin Joints
Juanjuan Zhu1, Fang Xie2, R S Dwyer-Joyce1
1The Leonardo Centre for Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK.
Modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites with PTFE, graphite, and carbon fiber additives demonstrated superior performance in unlubricated friction and wear tests. These PEEK composites show promise for load-bearing bush applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Tribology
- Polymer Engineering
Background:
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic used in demanding applications.
- Investigating PEEK composites with various fillers is crucial for optimizing tribological properties.
- Understanding friction and wear mechanisms in unlubricated conditions is essential for material selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the unlubricated friction and wear behavior of various PEEK composites.
- To determine the optimal PEEK composite formulation for load-bearing bush applications.
- To analyze the friction and wear mechanisms of PEEK composites under specific test conditions.
Main Methods:
- Pin-on-disk tribometer testing was employed to assess friction and wear.
- Materials tested included PEEK, carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK, glass fiber-reinforced PEEK, and PEEK modified with PTFE, graphite, and carbon fiber.
- Surface analysis utilized optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Main Results:
- PEEK composites modified with 10 wt% PTFE, graphite, and carbon fiber exhibited the best performance.
- These modified composites showed lower friction coefficients, reduced wear loss, and minimized friction energy and temperature rise.
- The study identified specific friction and wear mechanisms influenced by the thermal sensitivity of PEEK composites.
Conclusions:
- PEEK composites modified with PTFE, graphite, and carbon fiber offer excellent tribological properties for unlubricated applications.
- These materials are suitable for load-bearing bush applications, outperforming standard PEEK and fiber-reinforced variants.
- Reinforcement and modification strategies significantly enhance the performance of PEEK in tribological systems.
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