Friction and wear behaviors of toughened polyoxymethylene blend under water lubrication

This article describes the results from an experimental investigation on the friction and wear performances of the toughened polyoxymethylene/polyurethane blend (M-POM) under water drops lubrication. The sliding experiments were carried out on a block-on-ring tribometer. The contact configuration used was a stationary polymer block on a rotating AISI 1045 steel or MC nylon ring. The selected test material includes a polyoxymethylene (POM)-based composite that was toughened by polyurethane (PU) and filled by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)and silicone oil. The results show that the M-POM with 10% PU (by weight) has better antifriction and antiwear properties under water drops lubrication, compared with pure POM and the POM/PTFE composite. The M-POM is more suitable to slide against MC nylon than steel under water lubrication. Because of the entrance of water, the hydrogen bond formed between water and polymers at the frictional surfaces during friction improves,greatly the water lubrication performance of M-POM, in addition to the water-cooling action.