Friction characteristics of self-lubricating ABS under different surface roughnesses and temperatures

N, N"-Ethylenedistearamide (EBS) and poly(ethylene-co-octene) (EN) were selected as internal lubricants for ABS to improve its friction characteristics. The effects of additive type, part surface roughness and testing temperature on the friction characteristics were investigated and found that at 80°C, kinetic COF were lower than at 23°C owing to thermal softening and melting of rubber components of the contacting surfaces. EN was more effective than EBS in reducing COF and double amplitude of stick-slip curves of ABS both at 23°C and 80°C due to the decrease in surface energy and adhesion between moving surfaces with EN added. At 23°C kinetic COF of ABS+5wt%EN showed strong dependence on the surface roughness while this was not the case for ABS and ABS+0.5wt%EBS. [Display omitted] •EN was effective in reducing the friction properties of ABS both at 23°C and 80°C.•COF of ABS with 5wt%EN showed strong dependence on the surface roughness.•At 80°C, kinetic COF of ABS and ABS compounds were lower than those tested at 23°C.