Kneissl LM, Joffe R, Kalin M, Emami N. Improving the Tribological Performance of POM through the Incorporation of Bio-Based Materials.
Polymers (Basel) 2024;
16:2310. [PMID:
39204530 DOI:
10.3390/polym16162310]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyoxymethylene (POM), an engineering polymer commonly used in tribological applications, is often reinforced with fossil-based fibers such as carbon and/or glass fibers to improve its properties. To find more sustainable solutions, in this study, the tribological performance of POM/short cellulose fiber composites at different sliding conditions is investigated. An improvement in the wear coefficient of roughly 69% is observed at the harshest conditions of 5 MPa and 1 m · s-1 with only 10 wt.% cellulose fibers. The friction behavior is furthermore stabilized through fiber addition, as the unfilled polymer did not show a steady state. No signs of thermo-oxidative degradation are found after tribological testing. This study presents promising results for sustainable wear-resistant polymer materials in tribological applications.
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