Xue-Bin Yang

Frictional behavior investigation on three types of PTFE composites under oil‐free sliding conditions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the frictional behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites under oil‐free sliding conditions.Design/methodology/approach – The friction force and power consumption of pressure packing seals, which were, respectively, made of common filled PTFE, 30 wt% CF (carbon fiber) + PTFE and C/C (carbon/carbon) + PTFE, are studied in a reciprocating oil‐free compressor arrangement. Their coefficient of friction is tested on a block‐on‐ring type tribometer.Findings – The results indicate that influence of mean sliding velocity on filled PTFE composites is apparently more predominant than the others. The friction force curvilinear path of 30 wt% CF+PTFE is hardly influenced by changing crankshaft turn angle. For C/C+PTFE, the effect of mean piston velocity on friction force is not evident. The results also indicate that the friction coefficient of C/C+PTFE is lower than that of 30 wt% CF+PTFE if their applied normal force exceeds 9.8 N. Furthermore, their ...