An UHMWPE-based multiscale composite containing graphene oxide, nanodiamonds, and short carbon fibres has shown excellent performance under distilled water lubrication. However, it is crucial to evaluate its tribological performance under conditions which more accurately represent the final application. In this study, the tribological performance of the developed UHMWPE-based multiscale composite is evaluated and compared with neat UHMWPE under different lubricating conditions: no lubricant (dry), in seawater (SW) and in an environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL). While neat UHMWPE displays a lower friction and wear in dry conditions, the multiscale composite performs better under SW and EAL lubrication. A maximum reduction in friction coefficient of 77% and specific wear rate of 88% are obtained in SW. Under EAL lubricated conditions, the multiscale composite has a maximum reduction in specific wear rate of up to 75%. 

To mitigate the effects of downstream lubricant spillage from hydroelectric power plants, environmentally friendly lubricants are required. For the sustainable operation of oil-free bearings, the development of high performance bearing materials is crucial. In this study, the tribological performance of PPS and UHMWPE-based composites, incorporating various reinforcements, such as graphene oxide, is evaluated and compared with five commercial materials. Experiments were performed under different lubricating conditions; Dry, water, and using a glycerol-based environmentally adaptive lubricant (EAL). The use of water inhibited an adequate transfer film, which increased wear for most materials. EAL lubrication showed a significant reduction in friction (up to 98%) when compared to dry conditions. The experimentally developed PPS composite provided superior tribological properties, especially under water-lubricated conditions.

Premature failure of polymeric self-lubricating bearings is a limiting factor in the sustainable and continued operation of hydropower plants. In this work, the tribological performance of two novel polymer composites was studied with respect to commercially available materials. The materials were evaluated under dry and lubricated conditions, using water and an environmentally adaptive lubricant (EAL). The two tested commercial materials yielded a low dry sliding friction and wear. Under water lubricated conditions, the in-house developed polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) based composite provided an exceptionally low friction and a wear rate of a factor of 3 lower than the best performing commercial material. Using the EAL wear was reduced for most materials by up to 85%. 

Chemically expanded graphite (CEG) has recently been identified as promising reinforcement for polymer composites with the ability for commercial up-scaling. In this work, silane and polydopamine functionalized CEG were successfully synthesized and employed to prepare ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites with an enhanced interfacial compatibility. Characterisation of the functionalized CEG indicated a significant oxygen reduction, which gave rise to a restoration of the graphitic structure. The polydopamine functionalized CEG showed an enhanced exfoliation and dispersion in organic solvents and the polymer matrix with respect to the non-modified CEG. The silane functionalized CEG provided a higher affinity towards the matrix with polymer chains covering the CEG sheets on the fracture surfaces. The addition of functionalized CEG enhanced the mechanical properties of the UHMWPE matrix with an increase in micro-hardness of up to 25% and storage modulus of up to 58%. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity of the composites was significantly enhanced with an increase in water contact angle from 98.6° for the pure polymer to 119° for 5 wt% silane functionalized CEG. Preliminary wear experiments indicated the potential of the composites for tribological applications with a decrease in wear rate of up to 99% under water lubricated conditions.

Graphene oxide (GO), chemically expanded graphite (CEG) and graphite were evaluated as solid lubricant for ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites. Under dry conditions, the addition of all solid lubricants increased the coefficient of friction by up to 38%. For the composites corrugated stick–slip features were observed which correlate with a decrease in matrix degree of crystallinity. GO had the lowest effect on the crystallisation, resulting in the lowest relative increase in friction coefficient of only 13%. Under water lubrication, GO, CEG and graphite were equally effective in reducing friction and wear. The highest friction for the neat matrix was found to be due to a transfer film, which was suppressed by the addition of the solid lubricants.