Comparative Study on the Mechanical Performance of Solid Lubricants Over Peek Polymer

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and its composites have an extended range of applications and are continuously replacing metals in aerospace, automobile, and mechanical industries for structural and tribological applications due to its robustness, good mechanical and chemical resistance properties. The mechanical properties of virgin PEEK, PEEK reinforced with 10% Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and PEEK reinforced with 10% hexagonal Boron Nitride (h-BN) are compared and analyzed in this study. The composites were fabricated through the twin-screw extrusion method and were then characterized by EDAX analysis. The static mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural and hardness of all the specimens were tested as per ASTM standards, and it was identified that the virgin PEEK material had better mechanical properties in comparison to materials with solid lubricants. Also, the addition of h-BN to PEEK had a more drastic reduction in mechanical strength compared to the addition of PTFE to PEEK. It was seen that by adding the solid lubricants, the mechanical properties of virgin PEEK material deteriorated.