Multi-environment adaptability of self-lubricating core/shell PTFE@PR composite: Tribological characteristics and transfer mechanism

Abstract Tribological studies have shown that polytetrafluoroethylene @ phenolic resin core/shell (PTFE@PR) composite maintained excellent tribological properties under harsh working conditions (120 °C, 0.1 m/s, 100 N, friction pair with roughness of 2.528 μm), suggesting the core/shell composite would be a candidate lubricating material with multi-environmental adaptability. The friction-induced transfer film with long-range ordered crystal structure and fiber-like morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope, while the strong chemical bonding between the PTFE-PR transfer film and friction pair was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The crystallinity of the long-range ordered transfer film and wear debris under the shear force is higher than that of the original specimens by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Besides, the wear life of the PTFE@PR transfer film was six times higher than that of PTFE, reflecting its long durability.