Production of Composite Materials Based on Fluoropolymer and Study of the Dependence of Tribological Properties on the Amount of Filler and Friction Pressure

The article addresses the issue of selecting the optimal composition and production technology for the charge used in sealing rings of gas engine compressors. These rings are made from a composite based on fluoropolymer F-40 with the addition of graphite and copper-plated graphite. It is demonstrated that the properties of the resulting material depend significantly on the dispersion of the fluoropolymer particles. The study proves that heterogeneity caused by manual or mechanical mixing leads to a sharp decrease in material strength as the graphite content increases. It is established that the highest compressive strength of the composite material is achieved when the fluoropolymer particle size is within the range of 50–150 μm and the components are mixed uniformly. Furthermore, as counterpressure and surface cleanliness increase, the friction coefficient of all tested materials initially reaches a minimum and then gradually begins to rise.