Tribological Behavior of PTFE Composites Filled with PEEK and Nano-Al2O3

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, the tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and nano-Al2O3 particles were studied using a block-on-ring wear tester. The tribological performance of the composites was affected by the experimental parameters (sliding speed, normal load, and environmental temperature) and the composites achieved a high-speed sliding friction state. The results showed that the PEEK and nano-Al2O3 particles significantly improved the wear resistance of the PTFE composites. In addition, the nano-Al2O3 particles increased the hardness of the composites and enhanced the mechanical properties to enable applications in a wider range of industrial fields. The effects of the sliding speed and normal load on the tribological properties were more significant than that of the environmental temperature. In addition, the entire wear process was divided into three stages (the initial wear stage, severe wear transition stage, and ultralow stable wear stage), according to the evolution of the tribological characteristics (wear rate, morphology of the worn surface and transfer film, and wear debris morphology).