Friction and wear properties of poly(ether sulfone) containing perfluorocarbon end group

Abstract

Poly(ether sulfone) (PES) with high coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate needs treatment to enhance its tribological property in engineering plastic area. Here, the low surface energy of perfluorocarbon chains terminated poly (ether sulfone) (PES-F) had been used to improve the tribological property of such self-lubricating materials. In this research, the performance enhancement due to the existence of perfluorocarbon group on the material surface was discussed on improvement of anti-friction and wear resistance. On the premise of mechanical strength guarantee, the variation regularity of COF and volume wear rate of PES-F were quantitatively analyzed through the pin-on-disc wear test apparatus, combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. It was found that PES-F exhibited the best tribological property during the initial phases of friction test, attributing to the highest content of F on the material surface. Observation of PES-F worn surface and wear debris revealed that the COF and wear rate of modified PES were decreased not only due to the effect of perfluorocarbon group but also by the change of worn surface morphology, both of which were the main reasons for anti-friction and anti-wear property enhancement.