Tribology of natural Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) under transmission oil lubrication

Thiago Fontoura De Andrade,Helio Wiebeck,Amilton Sinatora

doi:10.1590/0104-1428.14416

Thiago Fontoura De Andrade, Helio Wiebeck + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.14416

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Abstract

Abstract High performance polymeric materials such as poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) are increasingly being used for challenging tribological applications in order to replace metal parts in vehicle engines and transmissions. The tribology of natural PEEK, under oil-lubricated conditions, was studied for different metal counterbody finishes. Two different finishing processes were selected for this study: turning and polishing. The test system used was a tri-pin on disc, with pins made of PEEK and counterbodies made of steel, and then dipped in ATF Dexron VI oil. The conclusion was that the wear rate generated by turning was about seven times as high as the wear rate generated by polishing. The friction coefficient displayed a direct correlation with the lubrication regime, and the level of counterbody roughness. On average, the friction coefficient on the hydrodynamic regime for polishing was more than 3 times lower than the friction coefficient in the boundary regime for turning.

Highlights

Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) is a semicrystalline polymer, first mentioned in the literature in the early 1980’s[1]
The surface topography condition before the wear tests is important in order to avoid misinterpretation of the wear mode after sliding
The findings suggest that the wear mechanism is a combination of adhesion and abrasion[9,20]

Summary

Introduction

Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) is a semicrystalline polymer, first mentioned in the literature in the early 1980’s[1]. It has high melt and glass transition temperatures (Tm = 340 °C, Tg= 143 °C), high mechanical properties, excellent chemical resistance and melt and machining processability[2]. PEEK is known for its excellent tribological properties[3]. PEEK provides advantages such as relatively low friction and low wear rate for many tribological applications[4]. Many investigations on the friction and wear properties of PEEK, and its composites, have been performed. Cirino et al.[5] reported PEEK behavior to abrasive wear; Voss et al.[6] investigated the behavior of sliding and abrasive wear at room temperature, and Friedrich et al.[7] examined the effect of counterpart roughness and temperature in relation to PEEK friction and wear

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