Tribological and mechanical properties of composites based on ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene and quasicrystalline Al−Cu−Fe filler

Abstract

Samples of composites, in which ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer is used as a matrix and quasicrystalline Al−Cu−Fe powder as a filler with 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 vol % concentrations, are prepared. Electron microscopy studies of the sample structure are carried out. The influence of the filler on the crystallinity and temperatures of sample melting and destruction is investigated. The mechanical and tribological properties of the samples are tested. It is found that an increase in the filler content changes neither the mechanical nor thermodynamic characteristics of the material but significantly improves the tribological characteristics. The friction coefficient decreases twice at 1 vol % of the filler and the wear resistance increases by 40 times at 8 vol %. Experimental data indicate the probability of good adhesion of the filler particles to the fluoropolymer matrix. The composites under investigation may be of interest as promising materials for polymer friction bearings.