Friction and Wear Properties of PTFE Composites Against 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy Under Hydrogen Atmosphere

The friction and wear properties of polymer were investigated under a hydrogen atmosphere, by using PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and two kinds of PTFE composites. Experiments were also conducted in air, nitrogen, and vacuum environment. The experiment carried out by pin-on-disk friction and wears apparatus in the vacuum chamber. Pin specimens are no filling PTFE, Gr-filled PTFE (Gr filled with 25 wt%) and MoS₂–filled PTFE (MoS₂ filled with 25 wt%). Friction disk is aluminum alloy 6061-T6 with 0.02μm surface roughness. Aluminum alloy 6061-T6 is able to use for apparatus for hydrogen. After experiments, specific wear rate was calculated, specimen surface, wear track and wear debris were observed, surface profile of the wear track were measured. The specific wear rate of unfilled PTFE and PTFE/MoS₂ of in air was lower than the other atmospheres. The A6061-T6 disk was worn by PTFE pin specimens and in the case of wear track was much rougher, the specific wear rate of pin specimens tended to increase without unfilled PTFE in air and PTFE/Gr.