Influence of the temperature on the tribological behaviour of PEEK composites in vacuum environment

This paper describes tribological experiments carried out with polyetheretherketone (PEEK), filled with carbon fibres and solid lubricants (polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), graphite or MoS 2 ), against steel discs. Oscillating sliding tests were performed in high vacuum environment in the temperature range between -40°C and +160°C. Results indicate that MoS 2 filled PEEK show the best tribological performance in vacuum. Particularly, in the lower temperature range and at higher loads the friction behaviour is improved by the MoS 2 content.