Abstract
High-performance polymers (HPPs) are increasingly used in different industrial machinery components, particularly for rubbing parts that demand reliable and durable operation at extreme sliding conditions such as elevated temperature environments, where the use of conventional lubricants is not feasible. The current study investigates the role of environmental temperature on the tribological properties of three advanced HPPs, namely aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP), polyimide (PI), and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) based polymer composites. Tribological experiments were carried out at different environmental temperatures from room temperature up to 300 °C, and under dry sliding conditions. Specific attention was given to the role of temperature on the development of transfer films and its subsequent effect on the tribological performance. The ATSP composite was recommended as the best performing material, based on the overall tribological performance at all examined operating temperatures.
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The authors acknowledge the use of the Texas A&M Materials Characterization Facility (MCF), where SEM/EDS experiments were performed.
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Kian BASHANDEH. He is a Ph.D. candidate in the MicroTribo-Dynamics Laboratory at Texas A&M University’s Mechanical Engineering Department. He received his B.S. (2016) from the University of Isfahan and M.S. (2020) in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. His research interests are in the tribological performance measurements such as macro tribometer testing and micro/nano indentation of polymeric coatings for applications in extreme operating conditions, including space applications.
Pixiang LAN. He is a full-time research scientist with aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP) innovations. He received his B.S. in mechanical engineering and automation (2008) from Jilin University (China) and M.S. in mechanical & electronics engineering (2013) from Xiamen University (China), and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 2017. His research interests cover topics relevant to the tribological study of advanced polymeric coatings under extreme operating conditions and projects related with compressors, stamping machines, oil and gas industry, and high-temperature tribology up to 1,000 °C for nuclear reactor tribological applications.
Andreas A. POLYCARPOU. He is the James J. Cain chair in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University. Dr. Polycapou received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering (1994) from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His research interests include tribology, micro/nanotribology, nanomechanics, microtribodynamics, thin solid films, and advanced interface materials. Emphasis has been on micro/nanoscale contact problems with applications to micro-devices, as well as the tribology of devices for reduced energy and improved environmental-related impact. Applications include magnetic and energy storage devices, air-conditioning and refrigeration compressors, nuclear reactors, oil & gas applications, and space applications.
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Bashandeh, K., Lan, P. & Polycarpou, A.A. Tribology of self-lubricating high performance ATSP, PI, and PEEK-based polymer composites up to 300 °C. Friction 11, 141–153 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-021-0593-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-021-0593-2