For space missions to either the Moon or Mars, protecting mechanical moving parts from the abrasive effects of prevailing surface dust is crucial. This paper compares the abrasive effects of two lunar and two Martian simulant regoliths using special pin-on-disc tests on a stainless steel/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sealing material pair. Due to the regolith particles entering the contact zone, a three-body abrasion mechanism took place.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCorrelations among previously determined tribological properties, such as the coefficient of friction values, wear and surface roughness differences of hybrid composite dry friction clutch facings are revealed after pin-on-disk test apparatus examinations under three loads, where samples are cut from a reference, unused, and several differently aged and dimensioned, used-according to two different trends: dry friction fiber-reinforced hybrid composite clutch facings. In 'normal use' facings, increasing specific wear trend is detected as a function of activation energy according to a second-degree function, while a logarithmic trend line can be fitted to the values of the clutch killer facings, showing that even at low activation energy levels, significant (~3%) wear occurs. The specific wear rate also varies as a function of the radius of the friction facing, with the relative wear values measured on the working friction diameter being higher regardless of the usage trend.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCoefficient of friction values, wear and surface roughness differences are revealed using pin-on-disc test apparatus examinations under three loads, where samples are cut from a reference, unused, and several differently aged and dimensioned, used, dry friction fiber-reinforced hybrid composite clutch facings. Tests are characterized by surface activation energy and separated into Trend 1, 'clutch killer', and 2, 'moderate', groups from our previous study. The results reveal that acceptable, 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWear and surface microgeometry aspects of fiber-reinforced hybrid composite dry friction clutch facings are revealed in a novel way: after different, real life automotive tests during their lifetime. This study examines and reveals the tribological response of friction material surfaces to real life application conditions with two different facing diameters and in two directions. Along the increasing activation energy scale, wear values increased according to two different trends, sorting tests into two main groups, namely 'clutch killer' and 'moderate'.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo different test systems were designed to evaluate the tribological behavior of five engineering plastics (Polyamide-PA grades and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene-UHMW-PE) and a fully degradable bio-composite (Polylactic Acid-PLA/hemp fibers) targeted to agricultural machinery abrasive conditions. Pin-on-plate tests were performed with different loads, sliding velocity and abrasive particles. The material response was further investigated in a slurry containing abrasive test system with different sliding velocities and distances, abrasive media compositions and impact angles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFiber-reinforced hybrid composites are the most commonly used dry-friction materials in the automotive industry. On the other hand, the great variety of components utilized these days in such material systems often requires identification investigations for a complex characterization. The development history of clutch materials was reviewed, highlighting and understanding the milestones and efforts leading to the creation of these materials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present paper concentrates on the toughness and the degree of crystallinity of the magnesium-catalyzed polyamide 6 rods cast in different diametres, which are commonly used for gear manufacturing. Its toughness cannot be regarded as a constant feature due to the casting technology. The mechanical properties of the semi-finished products are sensitive to the manufactured dimension, e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA study is presented on cold plasma treatment of the surfaces of two engineering polymers, polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyoxymethylene (POM-C), by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharges under atmospheric air conditions. We found that plasma treatment improved the adhesion of both polymers for either polymer/polymer or polymer/steel joints. However, the improved adhesion was selective for the investigated adhesive agents that were dissimilar for the two studied polymers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe surfaces of two engineering polymers including polyamide 66 (PA66) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were treated by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharges in atmospheric air. We found that plasma treatment improved the adhesion of PA66 for either polymer/polymer or polymer/steel joints, however, it was selective for the investigated adhesive agents. For PTFE the adhesion was unaltered for plasma treatment regardless the type of used adhesive.
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