The wear process of PTFE coatings under vacuum conditions

The wear process of PTFE coatings sliding against GCr15-bearing steel ball under vacuum conditions was investigated, and the hardness of the PTFE coatings on both sides of wear track was measured. The experimental results showed that the friction coefficient of the PTFE coatings increases with the increase of sliding distance under different sliding velocities. And the friction coefficient of the PTFE coatings increases with the increase of sliding distance under different sliding loads. The wear rate of PTFE coatings decreases with the increase of sliding distance. And the majority of the wear produced during the whole wear process of PTFE coatings sliding against GCr-15 steel ball comes from the early period of friction. The hardness of PTFE coatings on both sides of wear track increases as the distance increases and distributes symmetrically around the wear track. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was utilized to investigate the worn surface of PTFE coating. It was found that the worn surface of PTFE coating is characterized by sever plastic deformation and spalling of the PTFE coating. The edge of wear track is characterized by micro cracking.