Polymer Tribology: Current State and Applications

Polymer tribology is based on the analysis of abrasion, adhesion, and fatigue of polymer materials in a friction contact. The structural features of polymers provide a variety of tribological applications of basic polymers mostly as matrices and fillers of composite materials. Recently polymer nanocomposites are used for making components of various tribosystems. A short review of polymer materials for tribosystems is presented. The main results of studies in friction and wear of polymers are given. Formation of the real area of contact is evaluated when taking account of polymer viscoelasticity and the effects of temperature and load in the contact. Adhesion of polymers and its part in friction transfer is considered. Various aspects of friction and wear tests of polymer materials for estimation of their characteristics, prediction of service life in different operational conditions are discussed. Practical examples of applications of polymer composites and nanocomposites in various branches of industry are given.