Friction and Wear of Polyethylene Oxide Polymer Having a Range of Molecular Weights

摘要

The results of the experiments in this study indicate that, the higher the molecular weight of the polymer, the lower the friction for the polymer sliding on itself and in con tact with iron. Friction is higher for the polymer sliding on itself than it is for the polymer sliding on iron. At sufficiently high loads localized melting on the polymer occurs at the surface and friction coefficients are equivalent whether the polymer is in sliding contact with itself or iron. Tensile fracture cracks are observed in the wear track of the polymer at 5.0 centimeters per minute but not at 0.1 millimeter per minute, indicating strain rate sensitivity of the polymer to fracture crack formation. Where the polymer is in sliding contact with iron, a transfer film of the polymer to the iron surface develops. Friction coefficient is higher in the presence than in the absence of this film.