Friction and wear of PTFE composites with different filler in high purity hydrogen gas

Single-filler polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites with different filler materials are prepared and their tribological characteristics are evaluated in gaseous hydrogen to investigate the tribological function of each filler material. The results indicated that glass fibre caused severe abrasion on the cast iron sliding counterface and hence increased wear in both the composite and counterface in hydrogen. The friction and wear characteristics of polyphenylene sulphide-filled PTFE in hydrogen are similar to those in ambient air because it formed a PTFE-based transfer film on the counterface regardless of the surrounding atmosphere. On the other hand, carbon fibre-filled PTFE indicates excellent low friction and low wear in hydrogen. In this case, both the composite surface and sliding counterface are covered with carbon-rich tribofilms. •The abrasiveness of hard fibres was enhanced in high-purity hydrogen and increase counterface damage and composite wear.•CF-filled PTFE demonstrated excellent low friction and wear in the high-purity hydrogen by forming carbon-based tribofilms.•PPS-filled PTFE formed PTFE transfer film and maintained low friction and wear in high-purity hydrogen as well as in air.