A Study on the Influence of Filling PTFE on the Friction and Wear Properties of Nylon 6

PTFE filled nylon 6 was prepared by hot-pressing method using PTFE powder and nylon 6 powder. The effects of PTFE content, the load and sliding velocity on friction and wear properties of filled and unfilled nylon 6 under dry friction condition were evaluated using a Timken tester. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Electron Probe Microanalyzer (EPMA) were used to study the topography and the composition of the transfer film on the test ring surfaces. It was found that PTFE is quite effective to reduce friction and wear of filled nylon6 when the content of PTFE is 8 to 20 %(vol).While the content of PTFE is higher than 20 %(vol) or lower than 8 %(vol), the friction and wear increase, because of lower hardness of the filled nylon 6 or less content of PTFE in transfer film. Timken tests showed that the PV value of 8 %(vol) PTFE filled nylon 6 is twice as that of the unfilled nylon 6. XPS and EPMA analysis indicated that the formation of a compact, well-distributed and rich PTFE transfer film is the determining factor for the lower friction and wear of filled nylon 6 materials.