Friction and Wear Analysis of Nano-Particle-Reinforced Composite Ball Bearings for Aerospace Applications
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Abstract
A thorough study of the tribology of nano particle reinforced polymer composite ball bearings was carried out for an aerospace application. The three nano-composite formulations tested were; (i) PEEK matrix filled with alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles (ii) PEEK matrix filled with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles (iii) A hybrid Al₂O₃ / SiC loaded at 5wt %, 10wt % and 15wt %. Dry friction and wear testing were performed using a pin-on disc tribometer at contact pressures ranging from 0.5 MPa to 3.0 MPa and sliding speeds ranging from 0.5 m/s to 3.0 m/s. Worn surface characterization by SEM/EDX indicated that the hybrid loaded nano-composite formulation at 10wt% displayed the least friction coefficient (μ = 0.061) and minimum specific wear rate (Wₛ=1.8×10⁻¹⁴ m²/N), and represented reductions in these parameters of 43% and 57% compared to unreinforced PEEK. Thermally stable analysis demonstrated that the nano-composite material would be suitable for service temperatures up to 280°C. Therefore, it has been demonstrated that nano-reinforced PEEK composites can serve as light weight self-lubricating bearing materials for future generation of aerospace systems, such as satellite actuators and gas turbine auxiliary mechanisms.
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