The Wear Mechanism of a Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Composite Mixed with Ethylene Butyl Acrylate (EBA)

Abstract

Friction and wear of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) mixed with ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA) were studied using a block-on-ring tribotester. Results showed that the friction coefficient decreases with an increase in the EBA content due to the reduced surface contact area occupied by the PPS. The PPS/EBA composite showed higher threshold temperatures for viscoelastic behavior and the wear rate was significantly decreased after mixing with EBA due to a radical reduction in transfer films. The wear mechanism of the composite changed from an adhesive wear mode to an abrasive wear mode upon the addition of EBA, which supports the wear debris morphology and the wear map suggested by Lancaster (Proc Inst Mech Eng 183:98-106, 1968).