Friction and wear characteristics of PA 66 polymer composite/316L stainless steel tribopair in aqueous solution with different salt levels

摘要

Friction and wear behaviour of a PA 66 composite with 25% glass fibre reinforcement sliding against a 316L stainless steel have been investigated using different aqueous solutions under mixed/boundary lubrication. The aqueous solutions used are deionized water, seawater, seawater without group II metal salts, solution of dissolved Group II metal salts and solution of group II metal salts and NaHCO3. Lower friction and wear was obtained when lubricated with seawater. However, when deionized water or salt solutions without group II metal salts is used, increased wear was observed. The lower friction and wear in seawater solution is due to group II metal ions and bicarbonate ions that facilitate formation of the sparingly soluble carbonates that act as a lubricating tribofilm.