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Resin-based friction materials (RBFMs) strengthened by polyether ether ketone (PEEK) fiber were designed and prepared in this study. Specimens incorporating PEEK fiber of 2–8 wt.% were fabricated based on wet granulation, and then the effects of the PEEK fiber content on the mechanical and tribological properties of RBFMs were systematically investigated. The results showed that PEEK fiber can sense the braking temperature and then effectively regulate the comprehensive properties of RBFMs. The specimen incorporating 6 wt.% PEEK fiber obtained the optimal comprehensive performance with a stable friction coefficient (COF), excellent fade resistance and recovery properties, and better wear resistance. The worn surface was inspected using a scanning electron microscope. After the friction–wear test, the specimen with 6 wt.% PEEK fiber presented a number of primary and secondary plateaus and a reduced number of pits with wear debris on the worn surface. The study indicated that PEEK fiber could not only enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of RBFMs at low temperatures because of their high strength and self-lubrication but also adhere to wear debris to reduce abrasive wear at high temperatures; furthermore, the adhered wear debris could form a secondary plateau under normal pressure, which could alleviate abrasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resin-based friction materials (RBFM) are widely used in the fields of automobiles, agriculture machinery and engineering machinery, and they are vital for safe and stable operation. In this paper, polymer ether ketone (PEEK) fibers were added to RBFM to enhance its tribological properties. Specimens were fabricated by wet granulation and hot-pressing. The relationship between intelligent reinforcement PEEK fibers and tribological behaviors was investigated by a JF150F-II constant-speed tester according to GB/T 5763-2008, and the worn surface morphology was observed using an EVO-18 scanning electron microscope. The results showed that PEEK fibers can efficiently enhance the tribological properties of RBFM. A specimen with 6 ωt% PEEK fibers obtained the optimal tribological performance, the fade ratio was −6.2%, which was much higher than that of the specimen without the addition of PEEK fibers, the recovery ratio was 108.59% and the wear rate was the lowest, which was 1.497 × 10−7 cm3/(Nm)−1. The reason for the enhancing tribological performance was that, on the one hand, PEEK fibers have a high strength and modulus which can enhance the specimens at lower temperatures; on the other hand, molten PEEK at high temperatures can also promote the formation of secondary plateaus, which are beneficial for friction. The results in this paper can lay a foundation for future studies on intelligent RBFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]