Evaluation of tribological behaviour of PEEK and glass fibre reinforced PEEK composite under dry sliding and water lubricated conditions

In this study, the tribological performance of pure polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and 30 wt% fibre glass (GFR) reinforced PEEK composite were studied at dry sliding and water lubricated conditions. Wear tests were carried out with configuration of a polymer pin on a rotating AISI D2 disc. Test conditions were atmospheric conditions, 1.77, 3.54, 5.30 MPa pressures and 0.80, 1.60 m/s sliding speeds. The results show that the coefficient of friction and specific wear rates for pure PEEK and PEEK + 30 wt% GFR composite slightly in increase with the increase in applied pressure values. On the other hand the coefficient of friction is in decrease while the specific wear is in increase with the increase in sliding speed values. Moreover, for the range of pressure and sliding speed of this study, the coefficient of friction and specific wear rates using water lubricant registered lower values than that of the dry condition. The influence of GFR fibre on the coefficient of friction and wear of the composite is more pronounced at dry wear test condition. Finally the specific wear rates for pure PEEK and PEEK + 30 wt% GFR under water lubricated condition were in the order of 10−15 m2/N while under dry sliding condition this value is in the order of 10−14 m2/N.