Tribology of polymer-based materials (PBMs)

摘要

A gradual process of replacement of metal components by polymer-based materials (PBMs) is innprogress. The utilisation of PBMs in vehicles such as airplanes and cars results in less noise, lessnmaintenance, and also reduced weight and thus more miles per gallon. There is a reason why thenreplacement process is gradual rather than a rapid change. Polymers have lower mechanicalnparameters and are scratched and undergo wear easily. Frying pans are covered withnpolytetrafluorethylene (PTFE, Teflon) because of low friction and low sticktion but the scratchnresistance of Teflon is strikingly poor.