Effect of solid lubricants on tribological behavior of glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6

The tribological properties of glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (GF/PA6, 15/85 by weight) and its composites filled with solid lubricants were investigated. The main purposes of this article were to study the hybrid effect of solid lubricants with glass fiber as well as the synergism of combined solid lubricants, the wear mechanisms were studied by SEM. The results showed that graphite impaired the tribological properties of GF/PA6, but the tribology behavior of graphite filled GF/PA6 composite could be significantly improved by polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) or/and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and the GF/PA6 composite filled with 5 wt % graphite, 5 wt % PTFE together with 5 wt % UHMWPE exhibited the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate, which was almost a reduction in friction coefficient by 37% and in wear rate by 34% contrast to GF/PA6. The effect of load was also studied, and the results showed that the friction coefficient was virtually not affected by load, while the wear rate all increased with increasing load. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1783–1793, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers