The purpose of this study is to determine whether chlorinated polymers such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyvinylidenechloride (PVDC) degrade in a fretting interface. Polymer coated 52100 steel balls are fretted against a polished 1045 steel plate for 30 minutes in air and nitrogen at 25-30 percent and greater than 95 percent relative humidity. ESCA analysis is used to determine interface chemistry and help conclude that the color formation observed in the polymer coating is due to polymer degradation. Additional tests of thermally stabilized PVC on a steel plate supported this theory and aided in understanding the polymers performance in the interface. Experiments with the “pure” PVC on a glass plate showed that iron at the interface can initiate and catalyzes the polymer degradation. The effects of the different atmospheres, as well as the effect of humidity is also presented. / M.S.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and interactions of lead, frequency, amplitude of slip, humidity, and film thickness of polyvinyl chloride on fretting corrosion. In particular, this study describes the effects of these parameters on the polymer film life and also on the wear of the metal surfaces after metallic contact had occurred. The two levels that were used for each parameter are: load, 15.6 and 31.1 N (3.5 and 7.0 lb); amplitude of slip, 165 and 330 μm (6.5 and 13 mils); frequency of slip, 20 and 40 Hz; humidity of air, 16.6 percent, and 58.4 percent relative humidity; and PVC film thickness, 20 and 37 μm (0.8 and 1.45 mils). The 52100 steel balls were loaded against a 1045 steel disk that was coated with PVC. This configuration was then subjected to a two-level, five-factor experiment comprised of the above levels of conditions. / M.S.