In situ friction and wear behavior of rubber materials incorporating various fillers and/or a plasticizer in high-pressure hydrogen. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuang, Wenbin; Bennett, Wendy D.; Roosendaal, Timothy J.; Arey, Bruce W.; Dohnalkova, Alice; Petrossian, Gayaneh; Simmons, Kevin L.
• Is Part Of: Tribology international. Volume 153(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Friction -- Wear -- Elastomer -- Extreme pressure; Tribology -- Periodicals; 621.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2020.106627
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-679X

Abstract

Abstract: Polymers are used routinely for equipment and infrastructure in hydrogen vehicle refueling stations, but significant gaps remain in understanding their hydrogen compatibility. The tribological properties of these materials in a high-pressure hydrogen environment is important in preventing component failure and the need for frequent replacement. We present in situ tribological studies on model rubbers, which include common fillers and plasticizer, using an in situ tribometer developed previously. Results suggest a clear, yet complicated, combined effect of the high-pressure hydrogen and the additives on the tribological performance of the chosen materials, as compared to matching experiments performed in ambient air. We find that the additives improved wear resistance in EPDM but deteriorated that in NBR due to disparate additive-polymer interactions. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Model rubbers are tribologically studied in situ under 27.6 MPa H2 . Friction increases for all model rubbers in the 27.6 MPa H2 environment. Plasticizer results in reduced wear in high pressure H2 due to lubricating effects. H2 affects plasticizer-rubber interactions in NBR to allow phase separation. Wear performance depends in part on filler dispersion/distribution in the material.