Effects of the Fraction of PTFE and Film Thickness on Wear and Friction in an ePTFE and Epoxy Composite Solid Lubricant Coating

Wear tests were performed on various expanded PTFE / epoxy composite films, using a 304 stainless steel pin, in a pin on disk configuration. The density and thickness of the expanded PTFE films were varied, and the effects on friction and wear were examined. It was found that there are trends for increased wear resistance with increasing density, and increasing film thickness. Wear rates less than 10⁻⁸ mm³/Nm were calculated on some of the composite films. The film thickness range from 75–510μm and the density ranged from 0.304 to 0.904 g/cm³. The tests were run at a 5N load and 1m/s sliding speed with varying sliding distances.