Mechanical and tribotechnical properties of polymer-polymeric composites based on “UHMWPE-PTFE” blends

In order to develop solid self-lubricating composites based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrix, we studied mechanical and tribotechnical characteristics of the blends “UHMWPE+Polytetrafluoroethylene” under dry friction, boundary lubrication and abrasive wear. It is shown that the wear rate of polymer compositions “UHMWPE-PTFE” under dry sliding friction is decreased by 2 times in contrast with pure UHMWPE. At the same time mechanical characteristics do not change significantly. Under abrasive wear by fixed particles wear resistance of compositions differs a little from that of pure UHMWPE. The purmolecular structure, degree of crystallinity and topography of wear tracksurface of compositions “UHMWPE-PTFE” were studied by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. The mechanismsof wear of polymer-polymer composites “UHMWPE-PTFE” under dry sliding friction and abrasive wear are discussed.