Wear-Resistant Elastomeric Composites Based on Unvulcanized Rubber Compound and Recycled Polytetrafluoroethylene

Advancements in industrial machinery and manufacturing equipment require more reliable and efficient polymer tribo-systems which operate in conditions associated with increasing machine speeds and a lack of cooling oil. The goal of the current research is to improve the tribological properties of elastomeric composites by adding a solid lubricant filler in the form of ultrafine polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with the chemical formula [C2F4]n and recycled polytetrafluoroethylene (r-PTFE) powders. PTFE waste is recycled mechanically by abrasion. The elastomeric composites are prepared by mixing a nitrile butadiene rubber with a phenol-formaldehyde resin and PTFE powders in an extruder followed by rolling. The deformation-strength and tribological tests of r-PTFE elastomeric composites are conducted in comparison with the ultrafine PTFE composites. The latter is based on products of waste fluoropolymer processing using a radiation method. The deformation-strength test shows that the introduction of ultrafine PTFE and r-PTFE powder to the composite leads to a decrease in strength and elongation at break, which is associated with the poor compatibility of additives and the elastomeric matrix. The friction test indicates a decrease in the coefficient of friction of the composite material. It is determined that the 15 wt.% filler added in the elastomeric matrix leads to a reduction in the wear rate by 20%. The results obtained show the possibility of using ultrafine PTFE powder and r-PTFE for creating elastomeric composites with increased tribological properties. These research results are beneficial for rubber products used in many industries, mainly in mechanical engineering.