RECENT ADVANCES IN POLYMER COMPOSITES TRIBOLOGY

An overview is given on the friction and wear properties of high tempe rature resistant polymers, in particular polyetheretherketone (PEEK), under various testing conditions against smooth steel counterparts. Th e effects of internal lubricants, especially polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE), and short fibre reinforcements (glass vs, carbon) are outlined. In addition, results of sliding wear experiments with continuous glas s, carbon or aramid fibre-polymer matrix composites against steel were used to develop a hypothetical model composite with optimum wear resi stance.