Tribo-performance enhancement of PAEK composites using nano/micro-particles of metal chalcogenides

While designing the ambitious advanced composites based on PAEK (50 wt%), glass fibers (30 wt %) and natural graphite (10 wt %), it was proposed to include one more solid lubricant (10 wt %) from the category of metal chalcogenides. Particles of MoS2 and WS2 in micron and nano-sizes were selected for inclusion in combination with natural graphite. The themes for investigations were; which one is the better performer amongst MoS2 and WS2, and nano-particles can impart beneficial effect or not; and the last how efficient would be these tribo-composites in terms of friction, wear resistance and PVlimit values. The composites were characterized in detail for physical, mechanical, thermal and tribological performance. The WS2 proved more beneficial till moderate PV conditions but not for severe conditions as compared to MoS2. The composites proved excellent tribo-materials in terms of low friction (∼0.04), wear rate (2.2 × 10−16 MPa m/s) and PVsafe values (84 MPa m/s). The chemistry of the counterface surface was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy (RS) while the morphology of the worn pins surface and counterface surface was observed using a combination of 3D profilometer and scanning electron microscopy.