Tribological Properties and Acoustic Emissions of Some Thermoplastics Sliding Against SAE52100

Abstract

Measurements were made of the dynamic friction; wear volume and acoustic signal (AE) of several thermoplastics rubbing against smooth SAE-52100 steel. Polyoxymethylene, polyamide, poly(amide-imide), polypropylene, Poly(vinyl chloride), polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyethylene, were investigated using pin-on-disk configuration. Sliding speeds ranged from 0.05 to 0.45 m∕s, and normal loads from 40 to 160 N (2–8 MPa) for sliding distances varying from 4 to 20 km. Orthogonal experimental design and analysis method was used to develop wear equations expressing wear volume as function of the operating parameters. Consistent relations were also found between the integrated AE signal over time and the wear volume as well as the friction work.