Experimental and analytical thermal study of PTFE composite sliding against high carbon steel as a function of the surface roughness, sliding velocity and applied load

► Experimental thermal findings are in very good agreement with the analytical results. ► The contact with Ra roughness profile at 0.25 μm achieves the highest temperatures. ► The most influential parameter for the surface temperature rise is sliding velocity. ► Flash temperatures generated in the fibers/steel plate contact can reach up to 1000 °C.