Authors: Saravanan Prabakaran Sundaramurthy Jayaraman Duong Hai Minh Sujeet K Sinha
Publish Date: 2014/10/14
Volume: 56, Issue: 3, Pages: 423-434
Abstract
In an earlier work we demonstrated the development of SU8 composites using perfluoropolyether PFPE as lubricant filler which reduced friction coefficient by ~7 times and enhanced wear life of SU8 by more than four orders of magnitude In this work we have investigated the role of chemical bonding between SU8 and PFPE molecules using two types of PFPE lubricants ie Fomblin® Zdol and Z03 in improving the tribological properties of the composite Zdol has polar –OH end groups whereas Z03 has nonpolar CF3 end groups SU8 with Zdol SU8 + Zdol films yielded ~8 times greater wear life than SU8 with Z03 SU8 + Z03 films and more by four orders of magnitude than pure SU8 The nature of the films was analyzed in detail by chemical and physical characterization techniques like Xray photoelectron spectroscopy water contact angle and thermogravimetric analysis The results validated the role of polar end functional group of Zdol in covalent binding with SU8 upon UV plasma treatment that resulted in improved tribological propertiesThis research is supported by the startup grant R265000361133 and SERC 2011 Public Sector Research Funding PSF GrantThe views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the funding agencies The names of the supplier companies mentioned in the paper are for reference only and we believe same results may be obtained by the products and chemicals supplied by other companies
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