The effect of reinforcing fillers on the tribological performance of PTFE composites for a sustainable environment

Friction and wear, specifically in automotive components, significantly impact fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, material quality and lifespan, operational costs, and depleting the planet's finite resources. Highperformance polymers (HPPs) like Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are used for their low friction, high wear and chemical resistance, high-temperature stability, and self-lubrication. This study investigates the effects of various reinforcing fillers on PTFE's tribological performance under a 32 N load and 0.5 m/s sliding speed for 1 h in unlubricated conditions, representing automotive air-conditioning compressors. PTFE reinforced with aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP) demonstrated superior wear resistance and lower friction compared to carbon black, bronze, and graphite fillers. The enhanced performance of PTFE-ATSP blends is due to their higher mechanical strength and ability to form fluoride-rich lubricating transfer films on the 440C stainless steel counter surface. PTFE-ATSP blends offer an effective solution for unlubricated engineering applications aimed at sustainable environments.