Effect of Powder on Tribological and Electrochemical Properties of Nylon 66 and Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Water and Seawater Environments

Abstract

Polymer materials are used increasingly in marine machinery and equipment; their tribological properties and effect on the water environment have garnered significant attention. We investigate the effect of water or seawater environment containing powder on tribology and electrochemistry of polymer materials. A friction test involving nylon 66 (PA66) and an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) pin–disc (aluminum alloy) is performed in seawater or water with/without polymer powder, and the solution is analyzed electrochemically. The results show that the tribological properties of the UHMWPE improved by adding the powder to the solution, whereas the PA66 powder demonstrates abrasive wear in a pure water environment, which elucidates that the synergistic effect of powder and seawater on UHMWPE reduces the wear, and the synergistic effect of pure water and powder aggravates the wear. The results of electrochemical experiments show that after adding powder in the friction and wear tests, the powder can protect the pin by forming a physical barrier on the surface and reducing corrosion, and the changes are more obvious in seawater with powder in it. Through electrochemical and tribological experiments, the synergistic effect of solution environment and powder was proved.