Abstract
This experimental study investigated friction and wear of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) containing carbon fibers (CF) sliding against stainless steel in ambient air and dry nitrogen. Dry sliding tests were performed using a pin-on-disk tribometer. In a sliding velocity range 0.2-4.5m/s, average friction coefficient was 0.08 in dry nitrogen, but above 0.25 in ambient air. Microscopic observations showed formations of fine wear particles and stable transfer films especially after sliding in dry nitrogen. The compositional and morphological changes of a frictional interface during the wear process are thought to provide low friction and low wear of PEEK-CF.
