Tribological properties of glass fiber filled polytetrafluoroethylene sliding against stainless steel under dry and aqueous environments: Enhanced tribological performance in sea water

Authors: Khan, M.J., Wani, M.F. and Gupta, R.

Journal: Materials Research Express

Volume: 5

Issue: 5

eISSN: 2053-1591

DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/aac46c

Abstract:

The present study aims at investigating the tribological behavior of glass fiber filled PTFE on sliding against AISI 420 stainless steel in ambient air, distilled water and natural sea water. The friction and wear tests were carried out using a pin-on-disc configuration at room temperature on 25 wt% glass fiber filled PTFE at a normal load of 10 N. The glass fiber filled PTFE showed superior tribological performance in sea water compared to dry sliding and distilled water environment conditions. The lowest average coefficient of friction of 0.028 and lowest specific wear rate of 5.85 ×10-6 mm3 Nm-1 was observed under sea water environment. The worn surfaces were examined using Optical microscopy, SEM, EDS and Raman spectroscopy to reveal the wear mechanisms. It was revealed that the superior tribological performance of glass fiber filled PTFE in sea water is due to the formation of a lubricating film on the surface of glass fiber filled PTFE in sea water. The profilometric traces of the counterface after tribological tests were taken using an optical 3D surface profilometer to investigate the effect of indirect corrosive wear on the friction and wear of glass fiber filled PTFE under sea water environment.

Source: Scopus