Quantitative measurement of transfer film thickness of PTFE based composites by infrared spectroscopy

A method is proposed for quantitatively characterizing the thickness of transfer films of PTFE/alpha-alumina composites. The transfer films were produced by pin-on-disk tribotests in rotational mode and linear reciprocating mode. Based on chemical and morphological analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, the peak area of the CF2 antisymmetric stretching vibrational absorption peak at 1205 cm(-1) was found to be linearly correlated with transfer film thickness which follows the Lambert-Beer Law. With this relationship, a simple, rapid and nondestructive method for measuring the thickness of polymeric transfer films was proposed, which provides a promising approach for an in-depth understanding of the transfer film formation process and the self-lubrication mechanism.

Automated summary

A method for quantitatively characterizing the thickness of PTFE/alpha-alumina composites transfer films was proposed based on chemical and morphological analysis, showing a linear correlation between the peak area of the CF2 antisymmetric stretching vibrational absorption peak and transfer film thickness. This provides a simple, rapid, and nondestructive approach for measuring polymeric transfer film thickness.