Durable polytetrafluoroethylene composites in harsh environments: Tribology and corrosion investigation

The tribological properties and mass loss of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with carbon fiber (CF) or potassium titanate whisker (PTW) after the immersion in 30% sulfuric acid solution for 5 or 15 days were studied under different temperatures (25, 50, and 75°C). Results show that PTW/PTFE composites exhibit better anticorrosive and antiwear properties than those of CF/PTFE composites. Acid immersion has no obvious effect on the wear rate of the PTW/PTFE composite. The wear rate of CF/PTFE immersed for 15 days is thrice as much that of untreated composites and 3.6 times as much that of PTW/PTFE composites. Results also indicate that the wear rate of PTFE composites increases with the increasing corrosive mass loss rate and is more dependent on the corrosive mass loss rate rather than the friction coefficient.