Tribological behaviour of high performance polymers and polymer composites at elevated temperature

In this work, the tribological properties of three different high-performance polymers have been investigated at different temperature regimes. In addition, wear behaviour of PEEK composites (reinforced with different TiO2 content) has also been studied and compared at different temperatures. SEM cross-sectional analysis of the transfer film layers (TFLs) on steel counterparts was carried out to understand the formation of TFLs. Further, the thickness and distribution of TFLs were measured using nanoindentation as well as possible structural changes of the materials by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) technique. Based on experimental investigation, it was concluded that the development of transfer film and wear performance of polymeric materials, can be greatly affected by materials' brittle-ductile transition behaviour, depending on the temperature tested.