Wettability, soil adhesion, abrasion and friction wear of PTFE(+PPS)+Al2O3 composites

For the development of materials which could reduce adhesion and friction of soil to soil-engaging components of machines for land locomotion, Al2O3+PTFE+PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) composites were obtained by using the process of cold-pressing followed by sintering and hot-pressing, Behaviours of wettability of water and soil adhesion, abrasion and friction wear of the composites are reported in this paper. The results show that the advancing contact angles of distilled water on the composites increase as a result of the dispersion of Al2O3 particles with proper content and size in PTFE and PTFE + PPS matrix, and the properties of anti-adhesion of soil to the composites' surfaces remains excellent. The composites, dispersed with an appropriate content of Al2O3 particles, exhibit superior wear resistance. PPS in the matrix can further improve the wear resistance of the composites.