In the present study, the tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with natural layered silicates (LS) was investigated. The change in the morphology of the friction surface of composites depending on the content and chemical composition of layered silicates has been shown. The friction surface of PTFE composites with layered silicates was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation on the friction surface of a special layer with a structure different from the bulk of the polymer, which is formed from particles of fillers and wear products, has been established. The thickness of this layer is independent of the content of layered silicates in the polymer. It was indicated that wear debris of PTFE composites was assembled during friction and uniformly cover the friction surface layer by layer, thereby forming a protective layer.

The tribotechnical characteristics of polymer composites based on PTFE and layer silicates (serpentinite) were studied, depending on the test duration time. It was indicated that adding a serpentinite and magnesium spinel increased the wear resistance of the composite by up to 480 times compared to the original PTFE. It was found that particles of fillers and PTFE promote formation of a secondary structure on the friction surface, helping reduce the material wear process. The method of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and EDS showed that tribochemical reactions take place on the friction surface of composites.

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