Tribological behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone sliding against silicon carbide ceramic under seawater lubrication

摘要

Tribological behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR PEEK) sliding against silicon carbide ceramic under seawater lubrication were investigated. The effects of sliding velocity (from 0.5 to 1.5 m/s) and contact pressure (between 0.66 and 2.64 MPa) on friction coefficient and wear rate have been obtained through a surface contacted tribotester. The results reveal that the friction pair possesses outstanding friction and wear resistances under seawater lubrication, and there exists an evident running-in process. When contact pressure is beyond 1.32 MPa, the friction coefficient of the friction pair is totally less than 0.1, and it firstly decreases and then fluctuates slightly with the increase of sliding velocity. Friction coefficient shows a downward trend with the increase of contact pressure when the sliding speed keeps between 0.75 and 1.5 m/s. The wear rate of CFR PEEK decreases slightly with the increase of contact pressure, whereas the mass loss of silicon carbide ceramic is negligible. The tribological mechanism of friction pair was analyzed through the micro-morphology of worn surfaces obtained by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The main tribological mechanisms of CFR PEEK are adhesive wear and mechanical ploughing caused by surface micro-peaks of silicon carbide ceramic. The research will lay foundation for materials screening of key friction pairs in seawater hydraulic components.