RETRACTED CHAPTER: Self-Lubricating Polymer Composites

Abstract

Friction and wear during sliding or rolling of solid surfaces are universal phenomena, and they reflect the tendencies of energy to dissipate material to deteriorate. In general, solid surfaces in relative motion require lubrication, which dramatically reduces the extent of friction and wear. The situation when no external lubrication is required is called self-lubrication. Self-lubricating polymer composite materials are two-phase system that contain soft second-phase particles in the polymer matrix. The soft phase exposed to the surface during sliding. So the properties of both the hard matrix and the soft second-phase particles, as well as the shape and size of the particles, control the processes of deformation and flow of the soft phase. This chapter details polymer matrix structures, self-lubricating polymer composites, mechanisms of polymer composite lubrication, transfer film mechanisms, factor affecting polymer composites on friction, and wear and application of polymer composites.