STUDIES ON REDUCING THE SURFACE FRICTION OF ELASTOMERS

Abstract

Methods for reducing the surface friction of elastomeric vulcanizates were investigated, and frictional data were obtained on polytetrafluoro ethylene coatings sprayed from aqueous dispersions onto elastomeric vulcanizates. Compounding polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) resins with neoprene and silicone elastomers produced vulcanizates having inferior physical properties with no decrease in surface friction. Polytetra fluoroethylene coatings on elastomer vulcanizates provided surfaces having low coefficients of friction, which adhered sufficiently well for many applications although they are not as durable as similar coatings on metal. Lower values for the coefficient of sliding friction between metal/elastomer surfaces were obtained by coating the elastomer surface with TFE than by coating the metal surface. The surface friction al characteristics of TFE coated vulcanizates were essentially independent of the hardness of the vulcanizate, in marked contrast to the behavior of uncoated elastomers. The frictional behavior of coated elastomers was virtually independent of the thickness of the elastomer substrate.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 31, 1963
Accession Number
AD0405838

Entities

People

  • E. J. Kohn
  • H. C. Nash

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Cantilever Beams
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Elastomers
  • Ethylenes
  • Friction
  • Lubricants
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Measurement
  • Model Basins
  • Physical Properties
  • Ship Model Basins
  • Sliding Friction
  • Stainless Steel
  • Thin Films

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).