LUBRICATION OF POLYETHER ETHER KETONE (PEEK)

Abstract

Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK), an engineering polymer with many advantages such as lightweight, high thermal stability, high strength coupled with toughness, has often been used as a substitute for metals in applications such as bearings, piston parts, pumps and even biomaterials. However, it shows high coefficient of friction (COF), in the range of 0.35 to 0.4 when it slides dry against a metal or other materials. High friction results in high wear rate and short component life when used in tribological applications, especially when contact stresses are high. This thesis seeks to solve the tribological problems of high friction and wear for PEEK by applying ultrathin (a few nanometer range) layers of perfluoropolyether (PFPE), Multiply-Alkylated Cyclopentane (MAC), 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM][BF4]) and 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) lubricants on the surface of PEEK.