Research project: Lubrication of PEEK and its composites with steel counterparts
Due to their lightweight, reduced noise and self-lubricating properties, polymers and polymer-based composites are becoming preferred materials in many tribological parts in automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial applications. On the other hand, the mechanical strength and thermal stability of polymers are lower than those of metals, and therefore they tend to suffer from failures such as wear, local melting and pittin. Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) and its composites have superior mechanical properties and higher thermal stability than other conventional polymers which make it suitable for tribological applications operating under severe conditions. In practice PEEK is commonly used with steel counterparts in dry conditions due to its self-lubricating properties, but fluid lubrication has the potential to further reduce friction and wear of PEEK. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect and mechanism of lubrication on tribological properties of PEEK and its composites.
