Evaluation of Tribological Performance of PTFE Composite Filled with Rare Earths Treated Carbon Fibers under Water-Lubricated Condition

Carbon fibers (CFs) were surface treated with air-oxidation, rare earths (RE) after air-oxidation, and rare earths, respectively. Erichsen test was conducted to study the interfacial adhesion of PTFE composites filled with carbon fibers treated with different treatment methods. Tribological properties of the PTFE composites, sliding against GCr15 steel under water-lubricated condition, were investigated on a reciprocating ball-on-disk UMT-2MT tribometer. The worn surfaces of the composites were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results reveal that RE treatment is superior to air oxidation in promoting tribological properties of CF reinforced PTFE (CF/PTFE) composite. The friction and wear properties of PTFE composite filled with RE treated CF are the best of the PTFE composites. RE treatment is more effective than air oxidation to improve the tribological properties of CF/PTFE composite owing to the effective improvement of interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers and PTFE matrix.