Abrasive wear mechanism of Nickel plating in contact to Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic(PET)

Abstract

This paper discusses the abrasive mechanism of Nickel plating surfaces when in contact with Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic (PET). Abrasive wear is the loss of materials due to interactive movement of hard particles over the metal surface. Abrasive wear on surfaces is common in metal-to-non-metal or metal-to-metal interaction depending on the difference in hardness of such materials. Here, the abrasive mark mechanism due to plastic-to-Metal (Nickel) interaction has been explained in detail through a series of simulated experiments and analysis. It has been established that the roughness of Nickel and the particle transfer from Ni to PET play key roles in the generation of abrasive marks.