Research Symposium
25th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 1, 2025
Collin Nester Poster Session 3: 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm/ Poster #258
BIO
A Tallahassee native, Collin is a science-loving student at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. He is excited to be doing research at the collegiate level and appreciates the opportunity provided by his research mentor and the tribology lab.
Tribology of PTFE Filled Composites against DLC Countersamples
Authors: Collin Nester, Catherine FiddStudent Major: Mechanical Engineering
Mentor: Catherine Fidd
Mentor's Department: Materials Science and Engineering Mentor's College: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Co-Presenters:
Abstract
Polytetrafluoroethelyne (PTFE) is a low friction polymer with a high wear rate. Thus, it is commonly filled with other polymers/metal powders to add structure and reduce the wear rate. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have high hardness and low friction, but filled PTFE has yet to be tested on a DLC countersurface to determine its frictional and wear properties. In this experiment, samples of PTFE+Al2O3 and PTFE+PEEK were tested under load on a DLC countersurface in a reciprocating tribometer. The wear rate and frictional coefficient for the Alumina-containing samples were significantly reduced as compared to stainless steel (SS), with moderate improvements for the PEEK samples as well. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed differences in tribochemical formation on the DLC countersurface compared with the SS countersurface
Keywords: tribology, PTFE, DLC