ASSESSMENT OF ABRASIVE WEAR RATE FOR PTFE-BASED COMPOSITES IN COMBINATION WITH STEEL

Abstract

This paper presents a study of the tribological wear rate for PTFE-based composites in combination with C45 steel. PTFE composites with the addition of glass fibre, bronze, carbon fibre, and graphite were selected for the study. Tribological tests were conducted in a roller-block combination over an expanded contact area with no lubrication, using an SMC-2 machine. The study assessed the mass and volumetric wear for the test materials and the wear rate index. The highest wear values were noted for the PTFE composite with the addition of bronze, while the lowest was for the PTFE composite with the addition of glass fibre. For all the test materials, the formation of a polymer film on the steel counter specimen was noted.