Frictional and wear behaviors of short carbon fiber reinforced polyetherimide composites in an oil lubricant environment

Tribological performances of short carbon fiber reinforced polyetherimide (SCF/PEI) composites in an oil lubricant environment are of significance for relevant applications but have not been reported yet. In the present work, the friction and wear behavior of the SCF/PEI composite in oil-lubricated conditions is investigated systematically with a pin-on-disc test rig (a polymer pin sliding against a steel disc). Experimental results indicate that the incorporation of oil lubricant improves the anti-wear and anti-friction performances of the SCF/PEI composite, especially under heavy-duty conditions. In the range of working conditions explored here, the friction coefficient of the SCF/PEI composites varies around 0.1, the specific wear rate is lower than 3 x 10-6 mm3/N & sdot;m, and the composite still operates under a boundary lubrication regime. Meanwhile, it should be pointed out that the dominant wear mode of the SCF/PEI composite in the oil lubrication condition is abrasive wear, and no transfer film is observed on the counterpart surface.