Wear Debris Analysis of Seizure Behaviors of PEEK Materials in Oil

Abstract

Seizure behaviors of PEEK materials are studied using blocks on a ring wear tester under oil-lubricated conditions. The seizure processes are monitored with a particle counter to measure the number of wear particles in oil. Three kinds of block materials are tested: PEEK, PEEK composite filled with 30 mass% of carbon fiber, and white metal (WJ2). The ring is made of forged steel (SF540A). The sliding velocity is 15 and 19 m/s. The load varies between 294 and 1177 N. The ring temperature is measured with an alumel-chromel thermo-couple with a diameter of 0.5 mm, located 1mm below the frictional surface. Results indicate that the particle counter method can detect the seizure in the PEEK materials as well as in WJ2. However, the number of wear particle generated in the seizure of the PEEK materials is much less than in WJ2. It also increases in a mixed lubrication in WJ2. In contrast, wear particle is not detected appreciably in a mixed lubrication in the PEEK materials. Wear particles and wear scars on these materials are observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The wear mechanisms in the seizure are discussed.

Keywords

• seizure
• wear debris analysis
• particle counter
• ring temperature
• peek
• peek composite
• oil lubrication