Surface Mechanical Damage and Wear of Polymers

Abstract

This chapter provides an up‐to‐date review of the current understanding in the area of mechanical damage and wear of polymer surfaces. Wear is explained by the two‐term friction model and classified as the interfacial (adhesive) wear and the cohesive (abrasive) wear. Further, distinction is made between other mechanisms that may occur in concurrence with the above two types. Two important such mechanisms are the chemical wear and the fatigue wear. Complexities associated with the microscopic events such as the stick‐slip phenomenon and with the lubrication aspect of polymers are also highlighted. Finally, a short review of the wear process encountered in the case of polymer composites is presented as composites have become the most popular and economic way of solving many of the industrial tribolgical problems where polymers are involved.

Analysis of tribological behavior of medical-grade UHMW polyethylene under dry and lubricated conditions with human body fluids using Taguchi and GRA techniques

“…13–17 The exceptional properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) have made it an essential material for TJR, and presently, it is considered a gold standard in the orthopedic industry, making it the best material for TJR. 18–26 As of now, several material tribopairs have been used in artificial implants for joint replacement. However, the most commonly used tribopair is UHMWPE spacer, which slides against a polished metallic substrate.…”

Nanocomposites for Improved Physical Durability of Porous PVDF Membranes

“…A model was proposed for the enhanced abrasion resistance of the nanocomposite membrane materials as shown in Figure 8 . This incorporated both the energy dissipation mechanism due to PVDF phase change, as well as the presence of nanoclay which acted as a “harder” phase to the PVDF matrix which was now less exposed to abrasive wearing as the nanoclay resisted the wear with its enhanced mechanical strength [ 88 ].…”

Surface Mechanical Properties and Topological Characteristics of Thermoplastic Copolyesters after Precisely Controlled Abrasion

“…Although classifications such as these are useful, an important consideration nonetheless is that more than a single wear mechanism can occur simultaneously. 5 In this study, we specifically focus on abrasion and demonstrate that, while relatively straightforward to measure, resulting metrics involve a variety of factors. Abrasion generally manifests in material removal caused by ploughing (a form of deformation) and cutting (a form of fracture) when two surfaces come into contact.…”

“…5−7 These mechanisms can be generally categorized according to the depth of damage as either bulk or surface. 5,6 Bulk mechanisms pertaining to damage that extends into a material from the surface are commonly expressed in terms ranging from abrasion to fatigue, whereas surface mechanisms are limited to considerations such as adhesion and corrosion. Although classifications such as these are useful, an important consideration nonetheless is that more than a single wear mechanism can occur simultaneously.…”