Tribological and mechanical properties of fiber/Ekonol/PTFE composites

The mechanical and tribological properties of CF/Ekonol/PTFE and PTW/Ekonol/PTFE composites have been comparatively investigated. Results show that the combined incorporation of PTW and Ekonol in PT-FE improve the comprehensive properties of Ekonol/PTFE composite. The mechanical properties and the ability to reach the steady friction coefficient of PTW/Ekonol/PTFE composites are superior to CF/Ekonol/PTFE composites. This can be explained that PTW, compared with CF, has excellent capacity of micro-reinforcing because of its tiny size, and it increases the internal compactness and reduces the void content of Ekonol/PTFE composites. In addition, PTW can make the transfer film more coherent and uniform than CF, PTW/Ekonol/PTFE composites are more effective to increase the wear resistance of Ekonol/PTFE than CF/Ekonol/PTFE. The fiber and Ekonol have shown the synergistic effect on the tribological properties. Fiber help in forming an uniform transfer film and infusible rigid Ekonol particles may act as third body abrasive particles to reduce the shear stress at the edge of fiber.