Author : S.B.Bhoyar, R.L.Kadu , P.M. Karandikar and R.R.Kharde

In the petroleum , chemical industry and coalmines where high temperature is often seen, special materials have to be used. The high wear rate at high temperature is a serious problem in large number of industrial applications such as elevated temperature compressor piston rings and bearings. Meanwhile to meet the combination of light weight and high strength demands polymer-based materials are increasingly applied in many industries .However, at temperatures above 180°C is a challenge for most of the polymer composites. PEEK composites are expected to have excellent high-temperature tribological properties due to their outstanding mechanical and thermal performances above 180°C, where polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites will meet severe creep behaviors. To improve the tribological properties of high temperature resistance thermoplastic polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and PTFE, reinforced with short carbon fibre (SFC), graphite flakes, and sub- micro particles of MoS2 were investigated in dry sliding conditions. Friction and wear experiments were conducted on pin-on-disc apparatus, using composite pins against polished EN8 steel counterparts. Test performed within the p v-ranges at room temperature and elevated temperature (up to 300 °C). It was found that conventional fillers, i.e SCF and graphite flakes could effectively enhance both the wear resistance and load carrying capacity of base polymers. With the addition of sub-micro-particles, the frictional coefficient and wear rate of the composites were further reduced especially at elevated temperatures. In this investigation, with insertion of Mos2 and Bronze as metal solid lubricants improves friction and wear properties but also enhance the thermo mechanical characteristic of PEEK adhesive wear of PTFE/PEEK composites

Keywords: PEEK, PTFE compounding, wear, coefficient of friction; friction, elevated temperature.