Improving the Tribological Performance of POM through the Incorporation of Bio-Based Materials

Polyoxymethylene (POM), an engineering polymer commonly used in tribological applications, is often reinforced with fossil-based fibers such as carbon and/or glass fibers to improve its properties. To find more sustainable solutions, in this study, the tribological performance of POM/short cellulose fiber composites at different sliding conditions is investigated. An improvement in the wear coefficient of roughly 69% is observed at the harshest conditions of 5 MPa and 1 m · s^-1 with only 10 wt.% cellulose fibers. The friction behavior is furthermore stabilized through fiber addition, as the unfilled polymer did not show a steady state. No signs of thermo-oxidative degradation are found after tribological testing. This study presents promising results for sustainable wear-resistant polymer materials in tribological applications.