Abstract:In order to improve the wear resistance of elastic metallic-plastic thrust bearing pad, micro-assembling PTFE/Al₂O₃ multi-layer film was developed by alternating radio frequency(RF) magnetron sputtering PTFE and Al₂O₃ targets. For enhancing the adhesion of the interfaces between PTFE and Al₂O₃ film, N⁺ implantation was employed. The structure, mechanical and micro-tribological properties were studied by XPS, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and atomic force and friction force microscope (AFM/FFM). The results show that the multi-layer consists of Al₂O₃ component and crystalline PTFE. The hardness of the multi-layer modified by ion implantation is less than that of Al₂O₃, but its toughness is greatly improved. The friction coefficient of PTFE/ Al₂O₃ multi-layer modified by ion implantation is much lower than that of Al₂O₃ film, and its resistance to wear is much greater than that of PTFE film. Therefore the wear resistance of elastic metallic-plastic thrust bearing pad is greatly improved.

Key words:   multi-layer film; PTFE; ion implantation; Al₂O₃