Simultaneous friction and wear reduction of Ni-P/PTFE composites under dry sliding condition

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the tribology behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) incorporated with three types of nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) particles (i.e. low phosphorus [LP], medium phosphorus [MP] and high phosphorus [HP]) under dry sliding condition. Design/methodology/approach Ni-HP, Ni-MP and Ni-LP particles fabricated via an electroless plating process were incorporated into PTFE matrix with different additions to prepare Ni-P/PTFE composites (Ni-LP/PTFE, Ni-MP/PTFE and Ni-HP/PTFE). The tribology tests for these samples were carried out on a reciprocating ball-on-disc tribometer. The thermal stabilities, mechanical and tribological properties, morphologies and components of aforesaid Ni-P/PTFE composites were analyzed. Findings The marvelous effect of Ni-P incorporation on the simultaneous reduction in friction and wear of PTFE was corroborated. Originality/value Compared with that of pristine PTFE sample, the reduction on friction with a value of 27% and the reduction in wear about 94% for Ni-HP/PTFE composite is validated, which is probably related to the increased crystallinity and hardness due to the presence of Ni-P particles.