Assessment of tribological behavior and physicochemical properties alterations of polytetrafluoroethylene imposed by wear test
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to discuss the tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and property changes imposed by wear tests.
Design/methodology/approach
Long-duration dry wear tests were carried out in a sliding bearing on shaft tribometer. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were performed in the PTFE in its original condition and after the tests.
Findings
The wear products merged in multilayer films and were expelled out of the test sequence. Through DSC and FTIR analyses in the polymeric material, before and after tests, it was possible to verify an increase of the crystallinity degree of PTFE, as well as absence of crystalline fusion of the material. The wear products presented changes in the infrared spectra, which suggests the occurrence of some bonds of hydrogen and oxygen.
Originality/value
It was verified on correlation that fibril mechanism, which occurred during PTFE wear, and its crystallinity degree increase. Also, analysis of PTFE wear products showed CO and CH bonds, which were imposed by wear test.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Post-Graduated Program of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Department (DAMEC/UTFPR) for their support. Additionally, they specially thank CNPq for providing a scholarship (134598/2013-0).
Citation
do Vale, J.L., da Silva, C.H. and da Silva Cruz, C.M.G. (2017), "Assessment of tribological behavior and physicochemical properties alterations of polytetrafluoroethylene imposed by wear test", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 69 No. 4, pp. 550-558. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-04-2016-0081
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited