Polymer materials are increasingly being used as tribological materials; however, many aspects of their lubrication properties remain poorly understood. Our research aims to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of friction and wear in polymers by analyzing the structure of the frictional interface across multiple scales.
A deeper understanding of the friction and wear mechanisms in polymers could promote their wider application as substitutes for metal components, thereby contributing significantly to the achievement of the SDGs.
Polyacetal (POM) is widely used as a representative engineering plastic due to its favorable balance between cost and mechanical strength. In addition, its self-lubricating properties have made it a leading material for polymer-based sliding applications in recent years. However, many aspects of the tribological behavior of POM remain unclear. Compared to metals, POM generally exhibits more pronounced material transfer to the counterface and generates more wear debris, suggesting that its lubrication characteristics differ significantly from those of metallic materials.
Since tribological phenomena occur at the sliding interface, the interfacial structure plays a crucial role in determining the mechanisms of friction and wear. Therefore, detailed observation of the frictional interface is essential for understanding lubrication behavior. In our research, we conducted in-situ observations of the sliding interface. The results suggest that not only the bulk POM but also the re-adhered wear debris significantly affect the friction and wear behavior of POM. Based on this finding, we aim to clarify the differences in structure—ranging from macroscopic morphology to nanoscale crystallinity—between the bulk material and the re-adhered debris. Ultimately, our goal is to identify which structural features, at both macro and nano scales, contribute positively or negatively to the low-friction and low-wear characteristics of POM.
A detailed understanding of the friction and wear mechanisms in polymers will enable the development of strategies for controlling these phenomena. This, in turn, will lead to the creation of new polymer materials with improved low-friction and low-wear properties, thereby accelerating the practical application of polymers as tribological materials. As a result, polymers may become viable alternatives to metals even in specialized environments where their use is currently limited, promoting broader adoption not only in the automotive and electronics industries, but also in the aerospace and marine sectors—ultimately contributing significantly to the achievement of the SDGs.
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