Polymer Tribology

This book deals with the new and now-expanding field of friction, wear, and other surface-related mechanical phenomena for polymers. Polymers have been used in various forms such as bulk, films, and composites in applications where their friction, wear resistance, and other surface-related properties have been effectively utilized. There are also many examples in which polymers have performed extremely well, such as in tyres, shoes, brakes, gears, bearings, small moving parts in electronics and MEMS, cosmetics/hair products, and artificial human joints. Around the world, much research is currently being undertaken to develop new polymers, in different forms, for further enhancing tribological performance and for finding novel applications. Keeping in view the importance of tribology of polymers for research and technology as well as the vast literature that is now available in research papers and review articles, this timely book brings together a wealth of research data for an understanding of the basic principles of the subject. Contents: Bulk Polymers:Adhesion and Friction of PolymersTribophysical Interpretation of Polymer Sliding MechanismsScaling Effects in Tribotesting of PolymersBiopolymer TribologyReinforced Polymers:Wear of Polytetrafluoroethylene and PTFE CompositesMechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Polymers Filled with Inorganic Particulate FillersThe Sliding Wear of Polypropylene and Its BlendsBrake Friction MaterialsPolymer Films:Mechanical Properties of Thin Polymer Films Within ContactsAFM Testing of Polymeric Resist Films for Nanoimprint Lithographyand other papers Readership: Engineering professionals working on polymers for designing bearing materials; managers and researchers in materials laboratories; graduate students in the area of materials/tribology. Keywords:Polymer;Tribology;Wear;Friction;ScratchingKey Features:Covers, for the first time, all areas of polymer tribology (bulk, films, composites, and applications) in one comprehensive bookDescribes new applications for polymers, such as in microscale and nanoscale machines where surface properties or tribology play a crucial role in the durability and performance of the machineCompiles various works in this area into one volume, and includes opinions or contributions from some of the world's leading authorities in this fieldReviews:“This book brings together a vast wealth of research data and a fundamental understanding of the basic principles in this important research area. Those working in the field of polymer tribology will find it helpful in learning about the most recent developments. Those new to the area will find its many chapters on the fundamentals of polymer tribology very instructive.”IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine

This book deals with the new and now-expanding field of friction, wear, and other surface-related mechanical phenomena for polymers. Polymers have been used in various forms such as bulk, films, and composites in applications where their friction, wear resistance, and other surface-related properties have been effectively utilized. There are also many examples in which polymers have performed extremely well, such as in tyres, shoes, brakes, gears, bearings, small moving parts in electronics and MEMS, cosmetics/hair products, and artificial human joints. Around the world, much research is currently being undertaken to develop new polymers, in different forms, for further enhancing tribological performance and for finding novel applications. Keeping in view the importance of tribology of polymers for research and technology as well as the vast literature that is now available in research papers and review articles, this timely book brings together a wealth of research data for an understanding of the basic principles of the subject.

This book deals with the new and now-expanding field of friction, wear, and other surface-related mechanical phenomena for polymers. Polymers have been used in various forms such as bulk, films, and composites in applications where their friction, wear resistance, and other surface-related properties have been effectively utilized. There are also many examples in which polymers have performed extremely well, such as in tyres, shoes, brakes, gears, bearings, small moving parts in electronics and MEMS, cosmetics/hair products, and artificial human joints. Around the world, much research is currently being undertaken to develop new polymers, in different forms, for further enhancing tribological performance and for finding novel applications. Keeping in view the importance of tribology of polymers for research and technology as well as the vast literature that is now available in research papers and review articles, this timely book brings together a wealth of research data for an understanding of the basic principles of the subject.

This handbook is a collection of authoritative information in the new and expanding field of polymer tribology. It brings together various research topics in the field of polymer tribology in a single volume, and provides relevant data in polymer tribology for research and industrial applications.The book's chapters are written by active, world-renowned researchers in the field. Subjects covered in this book range from the fundamentals of polymer tribology to highly applied topics such as machine element design (bearing and gears), hip prosthetic and microsystems applications.Readers in the field of tribology, in general, and polymer tribology, in particular, will find it very useful as it covers nearly all aspects of polymer tribology. Academics creating new courses based on polymer tribology will also find this book's comprehensive coverage valuable. Researchers will find this book a ready source of the state-of-the-art in the field of polymer tribology.

Tribology of Polymers, Polymer Composites, and Polymer Nanocomposites combines fundamental knowledge with the latest findings in the area of polymer tribology. From testing of property-related mechanisms to prediction of wear using artificial neural networks, the book explores all relevant polymer types, including elastomers, epoxy-based, nylon, and more while also discussing their different types of reinforcement, such as particulates, short fibers, natural fibers, and beyond. New developments in sustainable materials, environmental effects, nanoscaled fillers, and self-lubrication are each discussed, as are applications of these materials, guidelines for when to use certain polymer systems, and functional groups of polymers. Experimental methods and modeling and prediction techniques are also outlined. The tribology of graphene-based, biodegradable, hybrid nanofiller/polymer nanocomposites and other types of polymers is discussed at length. Synthesizes the latest cutting-edge research in the tribological behaviors and applications of polymeric materials Covers all relevant polymer types and concepts, including elastomers and natural fibers, different types of reinforcement materials, sustainable materials, interfacial modifiers and the environmental effects of self-lubrication Outlines modeling techniques and how filler-matrix pairings and other approaches can control wear mechanisms

This book presents a thorough overview on workable theories and reliable experimental data on the use of plastic materials for sliding parts. Divided into four parts. Chapters 1 and 2 deal with current theories of friction and wear, and include discussion of various hypotheses based upon experimental studies. Chapter 3 details experiments designed to improve tribological performance via polymer blending and composite production, whilst Chapter 4 explains how the data obtained from these experiemnts can be applied to sliding machine parts. The work will prove useful in the design of plastic materials and components and will also provide a stepping-stone toward future innovations in this field.

Tribology of Polymer Composites: Characterization, Properties, and Applications provides an exhaustive overview of the latest research, trends, applications and future directions of the tribology of polymer composites. Covering novel methods for the synthesis of polymer composites and their properties, the book starts by reviewing the fabrication techniques, wear and frictional properties of polymer composite materials. From there, it features chapters looking at the tribological behavior and properties of specific polymer composite materials such as synthetic fiber-reinforced, cellulose fiber-reinforced, wood fiber, synthetic fiber, mineral fiber-reinforced, and thermosetting composites. Final chapters cover the tribology of polymer nanocomposites and particulate polymer composites and their metal coatings. Applied examples spanning a wide range of industries are emphasized in each chapter. Demonstrates the potential of polymer composites and their applications Covers novel methods for the synthesis of polymer composites and their properties Reviews the fabrication techniques, wear and frictional properties of polymer composite materials

Environmental concerns are driving demand for bio-degradable materials such as plant-based natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. These composites are fast replacing conventional materials in many applications, especially in automobiles, where tribology (friction, lubrication and wear) is important. This book covers the availability and processing of natural fiber polymer composites and their structural, thermal, mechanical and, in particular, tribological properties. Chapter 1 discusses sources of natural fibers, their extraction and surface modification. It also reviews the thermal, structural, mechanical, spectroscopic and morphological properties of unmodified and chemically modified natural fibers such as sisal, jute, wood, bamboo and cotton together with their potential applications. Chapter 2 gives a brief introduction to the tribology of polymer composites and the role of fiber reinforcement and fillers in modifying their tribological properties. Further chapters discuss the chemical composition, physical structure, mechanical properties and tribological behaviour of polymer composites reinforced with sisal, jute, cotton and bamboo fibers. The tribological behaviour of wood polymer composites (WPCs) is also discussed. Tribology of natural fibre polymer composites is a useful reference guide for engineers, scientific and technical personnel involved in the development of natural fiber composites. In particular it will give an insight into mechanical properties and failure mechanisms in situations where wear, lubrication and friction are a problem. Examines the availability and processing of natural fiber composites and their structural, thermal, mechanical and tribological properties Explores sources of natural fibers, their extraction and surface modification as well as properties of chemically modified natural fibers Provides an overview of the tribology of polymer composites and the role of fiber reinforcement and filters in modifying tribological composites