Effect of Rare Earths on Tribological Properties of Carbon Fibers Reinforced PTFE Composites

Carbon fibers （CF） were surface treated with air-oxidation and rare earths （RE）, respectively. The effect of RE surface treatment on tensile strength and tribological properties of CF reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene （PTFE） composites was invest/gated. Experimental results revealed that RE was superior to air ox/dation in improving the tensile strength, elongation, and the tensile modulus of CF reinforced PTFE （CF/PTFE） composite. Compared to the untreated and air-oxidated CF/PTFE composite, the RE treated composite had the lowest friction coefficient and specific wear rate under a given applied load and reciprocating sliding frequency. The RE treatment effectively improved the interfacial adhesion between CF and PTFE. With strong interfacial coupling, the carbon fibers carried most of the load, and direct contact and adhesion between PTFE and the counterpart were reduced, accordingly the friction and wear properties of the composite were improved.

Evaluation of Tribological Performance of PTFE Composite Filled with Rare Earths Treated Carbon Fibers under Water-Lubricated Condition

Carbon fibers （CFs） were surface treated with air-oxidation, rare earths （RE） after air-oxidation, and rare earths, respectively. Erichsen test was conducted to study the interfacial adhesion of PTFE composites filled with carbon fibers treated with different treatment methods. Tribological properties of the PTFE composites, sliding against GCr15 steel under water-lubricated condition, were investigated on a reciprocating ball-on-disk UMT-2MT tribometer. The worn surfaces of the composites were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results reveal that RE treatment is superior to air oxidation in promoting tribological properties of CF reinforced PTFE （CF/PTFE） composite. The friction and wear properties of PTFE composite filled with RE treated CF are the best of the PTFE composites. RE treatment is more effective than air oxidation to improve the tribological properties of CF/PTFE composite owing to the effective improvement of interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers and PTFE matrix.

Effect of rare earths surface treatment on tribological properties of carbon fibers reinforced PTFE composite under oil-lubricated condition

The effect of rare earths （RE） surface treatment of carbon fibers （CF） on tribological properties of CF reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene （PTFE） composites under oil-lubricated condition was investigated. Experimental results revealed that RE treated CF reinforced PTFE （CF/PTFE） composite had the lowest friction coefficient and wear under various applied loads and sliding speeds compared with untreated and air-oxidated composites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） study of carbon fiber surface showed that, after RE treatment, oxygen concentration increased obviously, and the amount of oxygen-containing groups on CF surfaces were largely increased. The increase in the amount of oxygen-containing groups enhanced interfacial adhesion between CF and PTFE matrix. With strong interfacial adhesion of the composite, stress could be effectively transmitted to carbon fibers; carbon fibers were strongly bonded with VITE matrix, and large scale rubbing-off of PTFE be prevented, therefore, tribological properties of the composite was improved.

Tribological Properties and Failure Analysis of PTFE Composites used for Seals in the Transmission Unit

The sealing rings are one of the most important components as the sealing devices in the wet clutch unit of a heavy vehicle. The sealing ring, made from PTFE composites, was subjected to serious wear on the sealing surface, but the mating metal surface only had slight abrasion. A specialized test rig was designed for wear research and failure analysis of the sealing ring. The composition analyses of the ring material, working conditions and wear surface characteristics by visual inspection and tribological properties as well as microscopic analysis with scanning electron microscope was performed to determine the wear mechanism and failure causes. Results revealed that the wear of PTFE composites was characterized by abrasion and adhesion after a certain duration testing, and the wear mechanism changed to thermal fatigue and abrasive wear in the stage of intense wear. The thermal deformation and fatigue were primarily responsible for the rapid wear of the PTFE composites for the sealing rings.

Tensile Properties of Surface-Treated Glass Fiber Reinforced PTFE Composite with Rare Earth Elements

The optimum amount of rare earth elements (RE) for treating glass fiber surface and its effect on the tensile properties of glass fiber reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (GF/PTFE) composites were investigated. The tensile properties of GF/PTFE composites with different surface treatment conditions were measured. The fracture surface morphologies were observed and analyzed by SEM. The results indicate that rare earth elements can effectively promote the interfacial adhesion between the glass fiber and PTFE, owing to the effects of rare earth elements on the compatibility. The tensile properties of GF/PTFE composites can be improved considerably when the content of RE in surface modifier is 0.2%～0 4%, and the optimum performance of GF/PTFE composites is obtained at 0.3%RE content.

Structure and characteristics of electrodeposited RE-Ni-W-P-B_4C-PTFE composite coatings

Hardness, friction and wear characteristics of electrodeposited RE Ni W P B 4C PTFE composite coatings were studied, and the reason for these fine characteristics was explained in respect of structure. The results show that 1) the structure of RE Ni W P B 4C PTFE composite coatings experiences a transformation process from amorphous to mixture then to crystal as the heat treatment temperature rises; 2) incorporating of B 4C greatly increases the hardness of the coating; 3) the wear resistance of the coating is best with heat treatment for 1?h at 300?℃, which is greatly superior to that of the other traditional coatings.

Tuning energy output of PTFE/Al composite materials through gradient structure

As a typical energetic composite,polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)/aluminum(Al)has been widely applied in explosives,pyrotechnics,and propellants due to its ultra-high energy density and intense exothermic reaction.In this work,the radial gradient(RG)structure of PTFE/Al cylinders with three different PTFE morphologies(200 nm and 5μm particles and 5μm fiber)and content changes are prepared by 3D printing technology.The effect of radial gradient structure on the pressure output of PTFE/Al has been studied.Compared with the morphology change of PTFE,the change of component content in the gradient structure has an obvious effect on the pressure output of the PTFE/Al cylinder.Furthermore,the relationships of the morphology,content of PTFE and the combustion reaction of the PTFE/Al cylinder reveal that the cylinder shows a more complex flame propagation process than others.These results could provide a strategy to improve the combustion and pressure output of PTFE/Al.

Influence of Weave Structures on the Tribological Properties of Hybrid Kevlar/PTFE Fabric Composites

The existing research of the woven fabric self-lubricating liner mainly focus on the tribological performance improvements and the service life raised by changing different fiber type combinations, adding additive modification, and performing fiber surface modification. As fabric composites, the weave structures play an important role in the mechanical and tribological performances of the liners. However, hardly any literature is available on the friction and wear behavior of such composites with different weave structures. In this paper, three weave structures （plain, twill 1/3 and satin 8/5） of hybrid Kevlar/PTFE fabric composites are selected and pin-on-flat linear reciprocating wear studies are done on a CETR tester under different pressures and different frequencies. The relationship between the tensile strength and the wear performance are studied. The morphologies of the worn surfaces under the typical test conditions are analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The analysis results show that at 10 MPa, satin 8/5 performs the best in friction-reduction and antiwear performance, and plain is the worst. At 30 MPa, however, the antiwear performance is reversed and satin 8/5 does not even complete the 2 h wear test at 16 Hz. There is no clear evidence proving that the tensile strength has an influence on the wear performance. So the different tribological performance of the three weave structures of fabric composites may be attributed to the different PTFE proportions in the fabric surface and the different wear mechanisms. The fabric composites are divided into three regions： the lubrication region, the reinforced region and the bonding region. The major mechanisms are fatigue wear and the shear effects of the friction force in the lubrication region. In the reinforced region fiber-matrix de-bonding and fiber breakage are involved. The proposed research proposes a regional wear model and further indicates the wear process and the wear mechanism of fabric composites.

Sliding Wear of the Hybrid Kevlar/PTFE Fabric Reinforced Phenolic Composite Filled with Nano-titania

The Kevlar/polytetrafluroethylene（Kevlar/PTFE） fabric composite can be used as a self-lubricating liner of the self-lubricating bearing.Many types of nano-particles can improve the tribological performance of the polymer-based composite.Unfortunately,up to now,published work on the effect of nano-particles on the tribological performance of the fabric composite which can be used as a self-lubricating liner is quite scarce.Therefore,for the purpose of exploring a way to significantly improve the tribological performance of the fabric composite,the tribological performance of the Kevlar/PTFE fabric composite filled with nano-titania is evaluated by using the block-on-ring wear tester.The scanning electron microscopy is utilized to observe the morphologies of worn surfaces of the fabric composites and the counterparts.The tensile properties of the composites are evaluated on the universal material testing machine.The test results show that the addition of nano-titania at a proper mass fraction of the matrix resin improves the wear resistance and the tensile strength,decreases the friction coefficient,and makes the wear volume of the composite reach a relative steady state more quickly;plastic deformation and microcutting are important for the wear of the fabric composite;a lubricating layer is formed on the worn surface of the composite during sliding,and the lubricating layer is critical for the tribological performance of the composite;the formation and properties of the lubricating layer are influenced by the nano-titania particles.The proposed study on the effect of nano-titania on the tribological performance of the Kevlar/PTFE fabric composite,especially on the evolution of the worn surface of the composite,provides the basis for further understanding of the influence mechanism of the nano-particles on the tribological performance of the composite and explores a method of improving the tribological performance of the composite.

Tribological Properties of Polytetrafluoroethylene Composites Filled with Rare Earths Modified Glass Fibers

Rare earths were used to modify the surface of glass fiber in order to enhance the interfacial adhesion and improve the tribolngical properties of GF / PTFE composites . Three surface modifiers, a coupling agent, rare earths, and a mixture of coupling agent and rare earths, were investigated. It is found that the tensile properties of rare earths modified GF / PTFE composites were improved considerably under the same experimental conditions. The PTFE composites, filled with rare earths modified glass fibers, exhibited the lowest friction coefficient and the highest wear resistance under both dry friction and oil-dropped lubrication conditions. In addition, rare earths modified GF/ PTFE composites showed the highest wear resistance under reciprocating impact load. The worn surfaces observation shows that rare earth elements modifier are superior to coupling agent modifier and the mixture of coupling agent and rare earths in promoting interfacial adhesion between the glass fiber and PTFE, accordingly improve tribological properties of GF / TFE composites due to their outstanding chemical activity.

Effects of Mg/PTFE pyrotechnic compositions on reignition characteristics of base bleed propellants and heating mechanism

The effects of magnesium/polytetrafluoroethylene(Mg/PTFE)pyrotechnic compositions on the coupled flow field and reignition mechanism are important aspects governing the perfommance and range of base bleed projectiles(BBPs).Owing to a decrease in pressure and temperature when the BBP leaves the muzzle,rapid depressurization occurs,which extinguishes the base bleed propellant.The Mg/PTFE py-rotechnic composition pressed in the igniter of the base bleed unit(BBU)provides additional energy to the BBU via a chemical reaction.Thus,the extinguished base bleed propellant is reignited under the effect of high-temperature combustion gas jets from the igniter.In this study,a numerical analysis is conducted to evaluate the effects of PTFE and Mg granularity as well as Mg/PTFE pyrotechnic compo-sitions.Owing to the rapid depressurization,the temperature and pressure was found to decrease fordifferent Mg/PIFE pyrotechnic compositions.However,the depressurization time increased as the PTFE granularity increased,the Mg granularity decreased,and the Mg content increased.When the pressure in the combustion chamber of the BBU decreased to the atmospheric pressure,the combustion gas jets from the igniter expand upstream(rather than downstream).However,these combustion gas jets exhibit different axial and radial expansion characteristics depending on the pyrotechnic compositions used,The results show that the reignition delay time,ta,of the base bleed propellant was 377.608,94.27,387.243,523.966,and 221.094 ms for cases A-E,respectively.Therefore,it was concluded that the Mg/PTFE pyrotechnic composition of case B was the most beneficial for the reignition of the base bleed propellant,with the earliest addition of energy and mass to the BBP.

Cold sintering process for fabrication of a superhydrophobic ZnO-polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)ceramic composite

Composite coatings or films with polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)are typically utilized to offer superhydrophobic surfaces.However,the superhydrophobic surfaces usually have limited durability and require complicated fabrication methods.Herein,we report the successful integration of PTFE with ZnO ceramics to achieve superhydrophobicity via a one-step sintering method,cold sintering process(CSP),at 300℃.(1–x)ZnO–x PTFE ceramic composites with x ranging from 0 to 70 vol%are densified with relative density of over 97%.Micro/nano-scale PTFE polymer is dispersed among ZnO grains forming polymer grain boundary phases,which modulate surface morphology and surface energy of the ZnO–PTFE ceramic composites.For the 60 vol%ZnO–40 vol%PTFE ceramic composite,superhydrophobic properties are optimized with static water contact angles(WCAs)and sliding angles(SAs)of 162°and 7°,respectively.After abrading into various thicknesses(2.52,2.26,and 1.99 mm)and contaminating with graphite powders on the surface,WCA and SA are still maintained with a high level of 157°–160°and 7°–9.3°,respectively.This work indicates that CSP provides a promising pathway to integrate polymers with ceramics to realize stable superhydrophobicity.

Effects of fibrous fillers on friction and wear properties of polytetrafluoroethylene composites under dry or wet conditions

The friction and wear behavior and mechanism as well as the mechanical properties of polytetrafluoroethylene （PTFE） composites filled with potassium titanate whiskers （PTW） and short carbon fibers （CF） under dry, wet and alkaline conditions were investigated. Experiments indicated that owing to appropriate cooling and boundary lubricating effects, the filled PTFE composites showed much lower frictional coefficient and better wear resistance under alkaline than dry and wet sliding conditions. The wear resistance of carbon-fiber-filled PTFE was much better than that of potassium titanate-whisker-filled PTFE composites in water. Results also showed that the transfer film on counterpart rings was significantly hindered by water and alkali. Hydrophilic-filler-reinforced PTFE composites yield higher wear rate when sliding under water.