The effect of nanometer SiC filler on the tribological behavior of PEEK

The tribological behavior of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filled with nanometer SiC was studied. The composite specimens with different filler proportions were prepared by compression molding. The friction and wear properties of nanometer SiC filled PEEK were investigated on a block-on-ring machine by running a plain carbon steel (AISI 1045 steel) ring against the PEEK composite block. The morphologies of the wear traces and the transfer film were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was performed to detect the chemical changes during the wear process. It was found that nanometer SiC reduces the friction significantly and that 2.5 wt.% to 10.0 wt.% SiC as filler is very effective in reducing the wear of PEEK. The SEM analyses reveal that with the frictional couple of carbon steel ring/composite block, a thin, uniform, and tenacious transfer film was formed on the surface of the steel ring, while XPS results show that SiC was partly oxidized into SiO2 during the rubbing process, Thus the ability of nanometer SiC to improve the tribological behaviors is closely related to the ability to improve the characteristics of the transfer film. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.