Insight into the role of debris in the formation of polytetrafluoroethylene film via molecular dynamic simulation of debris adhesion

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, the role of debris in the formation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film was investigated using the molecular dynamic simulation of debris adhesion. The results indicate that the internal structure of PTFE debris could not be changed easily because of the strong cohesion of PTFE debris. Debris will be adhered on Fe surface by the strong adhesion between Fe surface and debris. With the formation of transfer film, the adhesion between thin debris and Fe surface decreases gradually and will be lower than that of debris and PTFE matrix. The difference of the adhesion between PTFE debris and friction pairs will induce the quite different adsorption behavior of thin debris and thick debris. With the formation of stable transfer film, thin debris tends to be adhered on PTFE matrix and thick debris tends to be adhered on Fe surface. This will reduce the interfacial adhesion of friction pairs. The interactive influence between the adsorption of debris and the evolution of transfer film is beneficial to the decrease of COF and the wear of PTFE.