Influence of mechanical activation of polytetrafluoroethylene matrix of tribotechnical composites on its structural and phase transformations and properties

Abstract

Structure of the powdered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) before and after intensive mechanical activation (mechanical alloying) is investigated by the set of physical research methods (electronic microscopy, differential thermal analysis and thermography, diffraction, IR spectroscopy). It is shown that mechanical activation of PTFE leads to formation of granules with micron-sized, filamentous strands of nanometer thickness and other formations which are not typical for industrial PTFE samples. Features of the structure of activated PTFE macromolecules, leading to increased wear resistance to are observed. Obtained results and examples of implementation of the developed tribotechnical composites are analyzed.