Wear-Resistant Compositions Including Crosslinked Aromatic Polymers and Methods for Improving Wear Resistance Using the Same

Disclosed are compositions for use in forming articles subject to frictional force or for use in tribological systems and articles formed therefrom. Such compositions comprise at least one crosslinkable aromatic polymer matrix material which remains operable at a PV of at least about 75,000 psi-ft./min or more. Such at least one crosslinkable polymer may also be used as a filler in crosslinked form in a wear matrix material in further compositions herein, wherein a matrix material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, modified polytetrafluoroethylenes, and/or at least one aromatic polymer are filled with the crosslinked aromatic polymer filler to improve wear resistance of the composition. The wear resistance may be enhanced from about 200% to up to about 850% in comparison with known wear compositions or with respect to use of the same aromatic polymer filler that is not crosslinked. Methods of improving wear resistance, or the PV limit of wear compositions are also disclosed. Methods and compositions for substantially retaining dimensional stability and avoiding catastrophic failure about a critical transition temperature using the compositions herein are further disclosed.