TYPE OF WEAR FOR THE PAIR TI6A14V/PCTFE IN AMBIENT AIR AND IN LIQUID-NITROGEN

In the development of large, high pressure valves for cryotechnic rocket engines, the Tribology Department of the University of Liege had the opportunity to evaluate the pair Ti6Al4V/polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) on a pin-on-disk tribometer in ambient air and liquid nitrogen with the contact pressure and sliding speed ranging, respectively, from 3 to 9 MPa and 0.03 to 0.05 m s-1. Because of the affinity of titanium for halogen elements, such as chlorine and fluorine, which are both present in PCTFE, we noticed the formation of an abrasive compound made of chlorine, fluorine, titanium and aluminium. These elements were detected by electron microscopy. In both environments the heat produced during sliding is responsible for the decomposition of the PCTFE. The surface of the polymer is softened by the heat and embedded abrasive particles then scratch the sliding track of the Ti6Al4V disk. This abrasiveness is confirmed with a three-dimensional stylus profilometer used on the Ti6Al4V disks. The low temperature and neutrality of liquid nitrogen hardly inhibit the decomposition of the polymer. This is related to the poor thermal conductivity of both titanium and PCTFE: the heat produced at the contact is fully available for the chemical reaction between the chlorine, fluorine and titanium, all the more so since this reaction requires little energy to take place. A better understanding of the wear behaviour of the pair PCTFE/Ti6Al4V in both air and liquid nitrogen should lead to the development of a surface treatment which prevents the formation of abrasive particles. We could then use titanium alloys as bulk materials for sliding parts in cryogenic valves and, because of the low specific mass of titanium, could benefit from the subsequent weight reduction.