Stick-slip behaviours of water lubrication polymer materials under low speed conditions

This study investigated the different stick-slip behaviours of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), synthetic rubber (SR) and fiber resin composite (FRC) polymer materials with ZCuSn10Zn2 plates under water-lubricated conditions on an UMT-3 tribo-tester. The stick-slip phenomena of the polymers at the starting processes were significant and led to different frictional noise emissions. With better hydrophilicity and viscoelasticity, fiber resin composite resulted in the smallest frictional noise. A better hydrophobicity and worse self-lubricating property resulted in the largest stick-slip phenomenon and frictional noise of synthetic rubber. Thus the results disclosed the relationship between the lubrication property of the polymers and their frictional noise performance, and could be of help for the selection of high performance water lubrication materials. •Fluctuation of friction force change affects the generation of friction noise.•FRC has a smaller stick-slip phenomenon because of better viscoelasticity.•Synthetic rubber has obvious stick-slip phenomenon and high frictional noise.