Friction polymer wear mechanics, lubrication effects

The frictional and wear properties of the polymers used for gears can be greatly enhanced by the addition of internal lubricants. The most commonly used additives are polytetrafluroethylene, PTFE (Teflon, Fluon) silicone fluids graphite molybdenum sulphide, M0S2. PTFE, with its exceptionally low coefficient of friction is very effective as an internal lubricant. Initial shear causes it to form a high-lubricity film over the surface. It is, of course, expensive, and will generally reduce the mechanical properties of the material. 

The work function of the rubbing surfaces and the electron affinity of additives are interconnected on the molecular level. This mechanism has been discussed in terms of tribopolymerization models as a general approach to boundary lubrication (Kajdas 1994, 2001). To evaluate the validity of the anion-radical mechanism, two metal systems were investigated, a hard steel ball on a softer steel plate and a hard ball on an aluminum plate. Both metal plates emit electrons under friction, but aluminum produced more exoelectrons than steel. With aluminum, the addition of 1% styrene to the hexadecane lubricating fluid reduced the wear volume of the plate by over 65%. This effect considerably predominates that of steel on steel. Friction initiates polymerization of styrene, and this polymer formation was proven. It was also found that lauryl methacrylate, diallyl phthalate, and vinyl acetate reduced wear in an aluminum pin-on-disc test by 60-80% (Kajdas 1994). 

---