Tribological applications of polymer composites

Abstract Polymers play a vital role in many applications such as bearings, gears, sealings, bushes, pulleys, artificial hip replacements, etc. The study of the wear behavior of such polymers leads to a better understanding of the performance of these materials in different conditions such as dry sliding, high temperature, and lubrication. Progress in polymer tribology provides a variety of applications of polymer-based industries. There are several reports that describe new materials that can enhance the wear performance of these polymeric materials. In particular, the reinforcement with fibers and fillers of such materials allows withstanding much harsher environmental conditions. The concerns toward nonbiodegradable materials have led to the need for environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, bio-based polymers reinforced with natural fibers are nowadays used, for example as an alternative brake friction material to replace asbestos. Thus, the natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites paved the way for the new developments in the field of tribological applications. This chapter discusses the tribological applications of polymer and polymer composites.