Tribological Investigation of Bronze Filled PTFE Composite Material for Journal Bearing Application.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) is a vital engineering material. When rubbed or slide against a hard surface. PTFE exhibits a low coefficient of friction however a high rate of damage. So to enhance the wear and tear rate of PTFE, different fillers like bronze, glass fibers, Mos2, carbon etc. are added. In this work attention is given to suggest self-lubricating PTFE composite bearings in place of the existing hydrostatically lubricated gun metal or brass bearing used for sugar mills. Bronze filled PTFE composites produces very thick, uniform and adherent transfer films of both PTFE and bronze. Therefore the investigation of friction and wear behavior of PTFE composites filled with bronze particles considering the parameters like varying loads of sugar mill was carried out as a work. Experimental work is carried out by varying loads of 100.91N, 109.049N, 113.07N, 117.189N at sliding velocity 0.12 m/s, keeping rest of the parameters constant. Rubbing the test pins of PTFE composites against AISI SS 304 stainless steel disc surface (Ra = 0.14 µm) in wet condition using distilled water + Mos2 as a Lubricant by pin-on-disc Tribometer (TR-20LE) at NTP. Composites of PTFE + 40 % bronze particles filled are taken as bearing materials to investigate its friction and wear behavior.

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