FRICTION MECHANISM OF POLYMERS AND THEIR COMPOSITES

Abstract

This paper provides a brief review of the tribological properties of polymers and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) and the relevant mechanisms of friction and wear. The influence of both molecular and mechanical components on friction involving polymers as well as the influence of fillers, reinforcements and dry lubricants on the overall tribological characteristics of PMCs is evaluated. Tribological parameters include surface roughness, the mechanism of adhesion, friction and wear, and chemical interactions with dry lubricants (if present). The article reviews the main factors that influence the wear and frictional characteristics of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, short fiber reinforced composites and high-performance unidirectional composites. Examples of quantitative data of different pairs of polymers and PMCs with the counterface are presented.