Tribological properties at 25 C of seven polyimide films bonded to 440 C high-temperature stainless steel

The tribological properties of seven polyimide films applied to 440 C high temperature stainless steel substrates were studied at 25 C with a pin-on-disk type of friction and were apparatus. The polyimides fell into two groups according to friction and wear properties. Group I polyimides had slightly lower friction but much higher wear than group II polyimides. The wear mechanism was predominately adhesion, but the wear particles were larger for group I polyimides. For most of the polyimides the transfer films consisted of clumps of compacted wear particles. One polyimide composition produced a very thin transfer film that sheared plastically in the contact area.