Peculiarities of tribological behavior of composites based on polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and whisker carbon nanotubes

Herein, the internal lubrication of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) with added whiskered carbon nanotubes (Wh-CNTs) was investigated under point-contact dry sliding conditions with various loads and velocities. The wear rate of the composite was reduced by 86.99% at a maximum Hertzian contact pressure of 344.69 MPa, which was attributed to the addition of additives with excellent mechanical properties and high-temperature stability. Wh-CNTs could be uniformly distributed in the PEEK to form a three-dimensional (3D) network structure with load-bearing capacity, thus the load could be effectively borne to prevent crack propagation on the PEEK surface. Besides, the filler was induced to form a micron-sized 3D spherical structure with a ball bearing effect, which promotes lubrication more effectively than the fragment structure.