The effect of carbon fibre surface oxidation on the friction and wear properties of polytetrafluoroethylene composites under oil-lubricated conditions

Abstract

In this study, the effect of air oxidation and ozone surface treatment of carbon fibres (CFs) on tribological properties of CF-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites under oil-lubricated condition was investigated. Experimental results revealed that ozone-treated CF-reinforced PTFE (CF/PTFE) composite had the lowest friction coefficient and wear compared with untreated and air-oxidated composites. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the CF surface showed that, after ozone treatment, oxygen concentration was obviously increased, and the amount of oxygen-containing groups on CF surfaces was largely increased. The increase in the amount of oxygen-containing groups enhanced interfacial adhesion between CF and PTFE matrix. With strong interfacial adhesion of the composite, CFs were strongly bonded with PTFE matrix, and large-scale rubbing-off of PTFE was prevented; therefore, the tribological properties of the composite was improved.

Keywords

carbon fibre/polytetrafluoroethylene composites surface treatment ozone tribological properties oil lubrication

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