Comparison of the Sliding Behavior of Several Polymers in Gaseous and Liquid Hydrogen

Abstract

The development of hydrogen technologies entails high safety requirements in distribution and dispensing infrastructure. Therefore, it is necessary to pursue research on material compatibility in hydrogen, especially for critical parts with tribological issues. The focus of this study is to evaluate the influence of hydrogen on a wider range of commercially available polymer materials. Thereby, the friction and wear behavior of different grades of TPE, POM, PA66, PA12, PPA, PEEK, PPS, PTFE, PAI, PI and PBI were investigated against a rotating steel disk (AISI 304). Filled and unfilled polymers from different suppliers were evaluated at room temperature in air, vacuum and hydrogen gas (H2) as well as in liquid hydrogen at -253°C (LH2). The sliding behavior of the polymer materials is discussed by means of surface analyses, whereby special attention is paid to the formation of a transfer film. According to the results at ambient temperature, the effect of hydrogen environment on the tribological behavior of neat polymers may be related to lack of moisture, but also to saturated hydrocarbons in gaseous hydrogen. In liquid hydrogen, the best tribological performances were achieved with neat PA polymers as well as PPS and PI composites.