Friction and wear of polymer materials at cryogenic temperatures

Abstract

Polymers are extensively used for sliding systems in cryogenic applications because of their favourable friction and wear behaviour in the absence of external lubrication. Since important new technologies are based on applications under extreme conditions, such as at low temperatures, new requirements on material properties, in particular regarding their operability and reliability, must be met. Up to now, most tribological investigations have been carried out in inert cryogens or cryogenic gas (He, N2). Few experiments have been performed in vacuum environment at cryogenic temperatures. Rarely were testing in reactive media, such as LH2 or LOX. Due to the wide range of operating conditions in cryogenic applications, it is difficult to state general rules. Therefore, this chapter tends to give an overview on theories and experimental studies on polymer tribology at cryogenic temperatures.