Abstract
Polybenzimidazole (PBI) was synthesized by liquid condensation and its molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The resulting PBI product was used as the polymer matrix to prepare composites reinforced with titanium (abridged as Ti/PBI) using hot-press sintering in vacuum. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of the composite samples, while a ball-on-disc friction and wear tester were performed to evaluate tribological properties of the bulk PBI composites. The introduction of Ti as the reinforcing agent contributed to improving the mechanical properties of the PBI composites. Moreover, the Ti/PBI composites had small friction coefficients as slid against AISI-1045 steel in a ball-on-disc configuration, and the friction coefficients decreased with increasing temperature. However, the wear resistance of PBI was reduced slightly by incorporation of the Ti powders, and increased wear rates were recorded for Ti/PBI composites at elevated temperatures.
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