Polyphenylene
sulfide (PPS) based composites were prepared by hybridization
between multiscale carbon fiber (CF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
fiber, with, meanwhile, PPS serving as matrix, to obtain the interlocking
network structure of CF–PTFE fiber hybridization. Dynamic rheological
behavior distinctly illuminates the formation of the effective network
structure situated inside the composites, which can effectively improve
the tribological properties of the composites. Additionally, the PPS/PTFE/short
carbon fiber (SCF) composites possess better friction and wear properties,
compared with PPS/PTFE/micrometer carbon fiber (MCF) composites. More
importantly, the PPS/PTFE/SCF20 composites are endowed with the lowest
friction coefficient of about μ = 0.103, under the dry-sliding
condition. Studying the transfer film and worn surface of composites,
the results demonstrated that the wear mechanism gives priority to
adhesive wear and accompanying abrasive wear; furthermore, tribochemical
reaction occurs in the sliding process by energy dispersive X-ray
spectroscopic (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectrscopic (XPS) analysis.
The study of self-lubricating composites of multiscale CF–PTFE
fiber hybridization has important application prospects in mechanical
devices for the military, aerospace industry, and automotive industry.