Tribological Analysis of Engineering Plastics/Steel Friction Pairs

Abstract

This study involves the case of polymer–metal contact, where deformation and strain behavior play a significant role. In present work, a section of polymer gear is mated against steel gear, and the friction behaviors for different groups of polymer materials of PA 6G, PA 6G Mg, POM-C, PETP/PTFE, PA 66 GF 30 and Bakelite were experimentally studied. From the results obtained, all the materials coefficient of friction decreased significantly at the pitch point. This was attributed to the pure rolling at the pitch point and tangential traction, which was the dominant mechanism for resistance to motion. An unstable friction characteristic from flank tooth to the pitch point was evident in the low load conditions.