This study aims at investigating the tribological behaviour of several unfilled polymer materials sliding against 316L stainless steel in distilled water. The tests were carried out in a unidirectional pin-on-disc configuration with an initial apparent contact pressure of 5 MPa at room temperature. The worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques and the wear mechanisms were discussed. These studies indicate the occurrence of tribocorrosion of stainless steel during sliding against polypropylene. It is inferred that the frictional behaviour of the polymers is determined by both their wettability and solubility in water, where generally an increased hydrophobicity and relative energy difference with regard to water results in lower friction. The results from friction and wear tests show overall superior tribological performance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene compared with the other polymeric materials in water.
ClarkeCGAllenC. The water lubricated sliding wear behaviour of polymeric materials against steel. Tribol Int1991; 24: 109–118.
3.
MensJWM. Friction and wear behaviour of 18 polymers in contact with steel in environments of air and water. Wear1991; 149: 255–268.
4.
LiJCaiC. Friction and wear properties of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. Adv Mat Res2011; 284–286: 2380–2383.
5.
Kurtz SM. UHMWPE biomaterials handbook. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in total joint replacement and medical devices. 2nd edn. Burlington: Elsevier 2009.
6.
SubramanianMN. Basics of troubleshooting in plastics processing: an introductory practical guide, Hoboken: Wiley-Scrivener, 2011.
SujeetK SinhaBrianJ Briscoe. Polymer tribology, London: Imperial College Press, 2009.
9.
YamadaYTanakaK. Effect of the degree of crystallinity on the friction and wear of poly (ethylene terephthalate) under water lubrication. Wear1986; 111: 63–72.
10.
GinzburgBMTochil’nikovDGLyashkovAI. Tribological behaviour of polyoxymethylene in water-lubricated friction against steel. J Frict Wear2011; 32: 246–250.
11.
ShenCDumbletonJH. The friction and wear behavior of polyoxymethylene in connection with joint replacement. Wear1976; 38: 291–303.
12.
YangZZhangZSTaoYJ. Effects of polyamide 6 on the crystallization and melting behavior of β-nucleated polypropylene. Eur Polym J2008; 44: 3754–3763.
13.
De BaetsPOstWSamynP. The friction and wear of different polymers under high-load conditions. J Synth Lubr2002; 19: 109–118.
14.
ChenBWangJYanF. Microstructure of PTFE-based polymer blends and their tribological behaviors under aqueous environment. Tribol Lett2012; 45: 387–395.
15.
ChowWSAbu BakarAMohd IshakZA. Effect of maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene–propylene rubber on the mechanical, rheological and morphological properties of organoclay reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene nanocomposites. Eur Polym J2005; 41: 687–696.
16.
WangHGRenJFJianLQ. Friction and wear behavior of polyamide 66/poly (vinylidene fluoride) blends. J Macromol Sci Part B Phys2008; 47: 701–711.
17.
PengQYCongPHLiuXJ. The preparation of PVDF/clay nanocomposites and the investigation of their tribological properties. Wear2009; 266: 713–720.
18.
ChenBWangLYanF. Friction and wear behaviors of several polymers sliding against GCr15 and 316 steel under the lubrication of sea water. Tribol Lett2011; 42: 17–25.
19.
XiongDGeS. Friction and wear properties of UHMWPE/Al2O3 ceramic under different lubricating conditions. Wear2001; 250: 242–245.
20.
WangJZYanFYXueQJ. Tribological behaviors of some polymeric materials in sea water. Chin Sci Bull2010; 54: 4541–4548.
21.
SmithWV. Material selection criteria for water lubrication. Wear1973; 25: 139–153.
22.
RajeshJJBijweJVenkataramanB. Effect of water absorption on erosive wear behaviour of polyamides. J Mater Sci2002; 37: 5107–5113.
23.
ChenZLiTYangY. Mechanical and tribological properties of PA/PPS blends. Wear2004; 257: 696–707.
24.
SongJEhrensteinGW. The influence of water absorption on the properties of polyamide. Kunstst Ger Plast1990; 80: 722–726.
25.
BoruttoACrivelloneGMaraniF. Influence of surface wettability on friction and wear tests. Wear1998; 222: 57–65.
26.
HansenCM. The three-dimensional solubility parameter - key to paint component affinities: solvents, plasticizers, polymers, and resins. II. Dyes, emulsifiers, mutual solubility and compatibility, and pigments. III. Independent calculation of the parameter components. J Paint Technol1967; 39(511): 505–510.
SrinathGGnanamoorthyR. Sliding wear performance of polyamide 6–clay nanocomposites in water. Compos Sci Technol2007; 67: 399–405.
29.
OonishiHIshimaruHKatoA. Effect of cross-linkage by gamma radiation in heavy doses to low wear polyethylene in total hip prostheses. J Mater Sci Mater Med1996; 7: 753–763.
30.
ClericoM. Tribological behaviour of polyacetals. Wear1980; 64: 259–272.
31.
SunYRanaV. Tribocorrosion behaviour of AISI 304 stainless steel in 0.5 M NaCl solution. Mater Chem Phys2011; 129: 138–147.
32.
BerradjaABratuFBeneaL. Effect of sliding wear on tribocorrosion behaviour of stainless steels in a ringer's solution. Wear2006; 261: 987–993.
33.
HenryPTakadoumJBerçotP. Depassivation of some metals by sliding friction. Corros Sci2011; 53: 320–328.
