Effects of ambient humidity and sintering temperature on the tribological and antistatic properties of PEEK and CF/PEEK

Abstract

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is one of the representatives of special engineering plastics. Due to the high molding temperature, the molding method of ordinary plastics and cavity abrasives are difficult to meet the requirements. In view of this, pure PEEK was prepared by vacuum hot pressing sintering technology at different sintering temperatures. The mechanical properties and microstructure characterization results showed that the pure PEEK prepared at 350 °C showed excellent friction and wear properties. Then PEEK and CF/PEEK composites were prepared at the optimum sintering temperature. The friction experiments of prepared materials were carried out using UMT-2. The effects of ambient humidity on the tribological properties, wear mechanism and antistatic properties of prepared materials were systematically studied. The surface analysis and properties of the materials were measured by 3D profiler, scanning electron microscope, friction electrostatic tester. The results showed that friction coefficient of PEEK and CF/PEEK composite changed slightly with increase of ambient humidity. The wear rate of PEEK decreased firstly and then increases, which reached the lowest of 3.09 × 10−5 mm3/Nm when the ambient humidity was 40%. The wear rate of CF/PEEK composite changed slightly, which was significantly lower than that of PEEK, and the main wear mechanism was adhesive wear. The surface friction static electricity of PEEK and CF/PEEK composites decreased with the increase of humidity.

Tribological performance study of low-friction PEEK composites under different lubrication conditions

“…The reason is that when the sintering temperature is slightly higher than the melting point of PEEK, the temperature distribution in the resistance furnace is not entirely uniform. Therefore, some powders are not completely melted, the liquid and solid phases are mixed together, and the contact area between the two phases destroys the continuity of the PEEK matrix and results in poor densi cation of PEEK 25 . Thus, the PEEK matrix is not hard enough to resist plow stripping of the steel shafts, and the friction is higher during the steady wear phase.…”

Tribological Performance Study of Low-Friction PEEK Composites under Different Lubrication Conditions

“…Therefore, some particles fail to fully melt, leading to a coexistence of liquid and solid phases. This heterogeneity disrupts the uniformity of the PEEK matrix, negatively affecting its densification process in PEEK [25]. The resulting insufficient matrix hardness compromises the material's ability to withstand the abrasive action of steel shafts, thereby elevating friction levels during the steady wear phase.…”

Sustainable polylactide/polycaprolactone based polyurethane blends fabricated via reactive compatibilization

“…By reactive composite of PLA and flexible components, reactive compatibilization is established at the interface. Flexible polymers can improve the toughness of the material on the one hand, and on the other hand, may serve as crosslinking points to improve the shape memory fixation and recovery rate of the system, thus preparing PLA‐based materials with good shape memory performance 27–33 …”