Micromechanical and tribological properties of polymeric coating on metal surface

This study examines the tribological characteristics of three polymer coatings, namely polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) when applied to stainless steel discs. The coated discs were tested using the ball-on disc (BOD) method, where different loads were applied to determine their friction and wear characteristics. The mechanical properties of the coatings were determined using the micro-indentation technique. The results of micro-indentation testing showed that PVC had the highest hardness and elastic modulus compared to the other coatings. The tribological tests revealed that PTFE exhibited the lowest coefficient of friction, while PVC showed exceptional wear resistance, proving it extremely appropriate for anti-wear applications. The ABS material exhibited moderate friction and wear characteristics, resulting in intermediate performance. The results indicate that the high hardness of PVC plays a key role in its ability to resist wear, whereas the low friction of PTFE makes it well-suited for applications that require minimal friction. This study emphasizes these polymer coatings'capacity to improve tribological systems'longevity and effectiveness.