THE FRICTION AND WEAR PROPERTIES OF NANOMETER ZRO2-FILLED POLYETHERETHERKETONE

Nanometer ZrO2 filled polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite blocks wit h different filler proportions were prepared by compression molding. T heir friction and wear properties were investigated on a block-on-ring machine by running a plain carbon steel (AISI 1045 steel) ring agains t the composite block. The morphologies of the wear traces were observ ed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicated that nanom eter ZrO2-filled PEEK exhibited lower friction coefficient and wear ra te in comparison with pure PEEK. The lowest wear rate was obtained wit h the composite containing 7.5 wt % ZrO2. The SEM pictures of the wear traces indicated that the plucked and ploughed marks appeared on the wear scar of pure PEEK, while the scuffing on the wear scar of 7.5 wt % nanometer ZrO2-filled PEEK was obviously abated. Thus, it was inferr ed that the improvement in the tribological behavior of nanometer ZrO2 -filled PEEK composite was closely related to the improved characteris tics of the worn surfaces. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.