Development of polymer composite materials for friction elements of conveyor equipment

The object of the study is materials with enhanced tribological properties intended for the friction components of conveyor equipment. One of the most critical issues is ensuring the wear resistance of friction units in conveyor systems, particularly under dry friction conditions. A promising solution involves the use of tribotechnical polymer composite materials (PCMs) based on aromatic polyamide. The research involved the use of modified graphite-containing systems based on aromatic polyamides filled with graphites of various dispersities and at different mass concentrations. Polymer composites were obtained based on aromatic polyamide modified with organosilicon fluid and filled with graphites differing in nature and morphology. A correlation was established between the antifriction properties of the polymer compositions and both the filler content and graphite grade. Under dry friction conditions, the enhancement of antifriction properties is achieved by incorporating graphite into the aromatic polyamide in an effective concentration of 15–20%, at which a stable antifriction film forms on the counterbody surface, acting as a solid lubricant. In this case, the coefficient of friction and the linear wear rate of the material remain low, 0.1 to 0.15 and 0.5 to 1 × 10⁻⁹ m/m, respectively. A notable observation is that during friction, the graphite material wears away while the metal remains virtually unaffected. It was found that an excessive filler content (> 20%) leads to brittleness of the composite, which is a critical design limitation. As a result, the developed material can be effectively used for friction components operating under dry, lubrication-free conditions. This justifies its high utility and environmental benefits, as it eliminates the need for lubricants and their disposal. Compared to traditional materials such as bronze, the proposed composites offer distinct advantages.