Tribological behaviour of thermoplastics at low temperatures

The lubrication of sliding bearings for application to low temperatures is difficult, caused by the special failure after long standing of the most lubricants. An alternative is given by so-called ''self-lubricated'' thermoplastic materials. Thermoplastic based composites with different filler materials have a good mechanical and thermal load capacity up to temperatures T = 200 degrees C. The addition of sliding modifiers gives low friction coefficient and wear. Unknown is the behaviour of these materials at low temperatures. The aim of this work is to develope a rest facility to estimation the tribological behaviour of materials at temperatures up to T = - 196 degrees C and to investigate the application of different thermoplastic materials in friction with a steel of typ 100Cr6 as the counterbody under dry wear condition. Advanced thermoplastics, e.g. PPS, PAEK, PES or PI and PTFE with different fillers using for the investigations at temperatures T = - 40 degrees C, room temperature and T = 160 degrees C. The typical failure mechanism depending on the proof temperature are discussed.