29.05.2024

Zhao, S.; Merz, R.; Emrich, S.; L'huillier, J.; Lin, L.: Improved Tribological Performance of a Polybutylene Terephthalate Hybrid Composite by Adding a Siloxane-Based Internal Lubricant, Lubricants 2024, 12, 189, May 2024.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12060189

To mitigate the environmental hazards aroused by fossil-based lubricants like PTFE and graphite for preparing polymer-based tribological composites, the modification of such composites by using eco-friendly internal lubricants is imperative. For this purpose, a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) composite filed with siloxane internal lubricant (EG) was manufactured and tribologically examined. It is revealed that EG can be effectively released from the PBT matrix and transferred on the counterface forming a robust transfer film during the sliding process, which significantly improved the tribological performance of the system.

27.02.2024

Phuangmali, I.; Xu, Y.; Huang M.; Sun C.; Lin, L.; Schlarb, A.K.: Local thermal conditions influencing the mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene as a filament for fused filament fabrication. Polymer, Volume 296, March 2024, 126812.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.126812

This publication studies the sustainability of polypropylene waste by using fused filament fabrication and ultimately explores the mechanical performance of recycling polypropylene by applying the self-diffusion coefficient methodology. It is revealed that components printed at high temperatures and short time intervals have superior total accumulated diffusion, resulting in excellent mechanical qualities between the layers; which are comparable to those achieved through injection molding.

12.01.2024

Zhao, Y.; Lin, L.: Dependence of the tribological performance of PEEK-based sustainable composites on the temperature. Materials Today Sustainability, Volume 25, December 2023, 100625.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2023.100625

As demonstrated in this paper, utilizing recycled carbon fibers in PEEK-based composites shows great promise in high-temperature applications. These environmentally sustainable and cost-effective composites exhibit wear resistance and friction performance comparable to, or better than, commercial products, offering a significant advancement in the field of tribomaterials while complying with environmental regulations.

11.09.2023

Shi, S.; Lin, L.: On the environmental stress cracking of a vibration-welded polycarbonate (PC)-based nanocomposite. Polymer, 2023, 126338

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2023.126338

Vibration welding and environmental stress cracking (ESC) represent two relevant and well-defined research subjects within the realm of polymer science. Within joining technologies, vibration welding is a widely used method that offers fast processing, strong bonding and cost-effectiveness. ESC is a phenomenon that occurs in polymers, when they are simultaneously exposed to a combination of mechanical stresses and stress cracking agents such as medication, lubrication, coatings and cooling agents to name a few. The present study shows that the addition of 1 vol.-% nanosilica leads to a significant increase in ESC resistance within welded materials offering a simple method to enhance the resistance of otherwise vulnerable welding seams against ESC. The improvement is attributed to the increased amount of plastic deformations and micro cavities induced by the nano-sized particles during fracture of the materials.

24.06.2023

Our new study on sustainable tire materials focuses on the topic of end-of-life tires (ELTs) recycling. A pyrolysis carbon black (CBp) obtained from scrap tires was treated by air-jet milling and plasma modification. Compared to rubber compounds filled with standard carbon black, the modified filler caused an extensive improvement in the mechanical properties, wear resistance and ground traction of the material.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118201

17.10.2024

The Polymer Processing Society PPS Meetings are leading conferences in the field of Polymer Science & Engineering and attract internationally renowned scientists, engineers and designers. We are delighted to have attended PPS 2024 in Ferrol, Spain to present our work on environmental stress cracking and vibration welding! It was wonderful to meet familiar and new faces and engage in intriguing discussions and presentations. We are looking forward to many more to come.

_{Photos by Carmen Martinez Torrón}

08.04.2024

Zhao, S.; Hua, C.;  Zhao, Y.; Sun, C.; Lin, L.: Casting of regulable nanostructured transfer film by detaching nanofiller from the composite into the tribosystem – A strategy to customize tribological properties. Tribology International, Volume 195, July 2024, 109597.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2024.109597

This paper studies the effects of the nanostructured transfer film on the friction and wear performance of a PEEK-based nanocomposite/steel sliding system. The results reveal that high load conditions are favorable for encapsulating the detached silica nanoparticles from the polymeric composite and promoting the formation of an even, thick, and robust tribo-sintered tribofilm that possesses an outstanding lubricating ability for reducing the friction and wear of the sliding system, thereby significantly extending the service life of the sliding pair.

17.07.2023

Huang, M.; Ecke, N.; Schlarb, A.K.: High-performance tribo-components through combination of materials on the macroscale. Tribology International, Volume 187, September 2023, 108779

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.108779

Abstract: The tribological performance of four different tribocomposite assemblies was comparatively investigated by sliding against a steel ring on a block-on-ring tribometer in a wide range of surface pressure (p) and sliding velocity (v), and the experimental results were described by a model. The results show that the friction coefficient in the stationary friction phase and the specific wear rate of the composite assemblies tend to follow the superior partner. Surprisingly, it is also found that the pv-load limit can be shifted to the higher pv-limit of the better partner. The results of the present work clearly show that the macroscopic combination of tribocomposites can be an excellent approach for the fabrication of tribological components, e.g. bearings, with long lifetime, high energy and eco-efficiency.