Im Rahmen der Arbeit wurde ein semi-analytisches Berechnungsmodell für den Reibwert einzelner kugelförmiger Erhebungen erarbeitet, das die Berechnung der deformativen (μ_def) und adhäsiven (μ_adh) Reibanteile ermöglicht. Die Integration eines plastischen (Radius der Laufspur R_Spur) und eines viskosen (Rückstellwinkel ω) Verformungsanteils gestattet die Berechnung der realen Kontaktfläche während des Reibvorgangs. In Abhängigkeit des mittleren Kontaktdrucks kann damit der adhäsive Reibanteil μ_adh bestimmt werden. Die experimentelle Untersuchungen umfassten neben ungeschmierten Reibversuchen, die zur Ermittlung des gesamten Reibwertes (μ_ges) dienten, auch mit Silikonöl geschmierte Versuche aus denen sich μ_def ergibt. Anhand der Verifikationsversuche konnte einerseits gezeigt werden, dass beide Schmierungszustände zu gleichen Verformungen führen und andererseits wurde der Nachweis erbracht, dass der im Berechnungsmodell postulierte Zusammenhang zwischen dem Rückstellwinkel ω und μ_def Gültigkeit besitzt. Hierzu wurden Reibversuche mit segmentierten Kugeln durchgeführt, die eine gezielte Variation des Rückstellwinkels ω erlauben. Für beide untersuchten Reibpaarungen (Stahl | PE-UHMW und POM-C | PE-UHMW) kann abgeleitet werden, dass der deformative Reibanteil μ_def generell von untergeordneter Rolle ist (ca. 1/3 μ_ges) und der Einfluss des adhäsiven Reibanteils μ_adh überwiegt (ca. 2/3 μ_ges). Dabei sinkt μ_adh und folglich auch μ_ges mit zunehmendem Kontaktdruck p_(max,Ebene). Dieser wurde als verallgemeinerte Bezugsgröße eingeführt und beschreibt den maximalen Hertz´schen Kontaktdruck eines äquivalenten Kugel-Ebene-Kontaktes, der sich unter Eingabe des Kugelradius r_Kugel, der Normalkraft und der Verwendung der statischen E-Moduln beider Werkstoffe ergibt. Weiterhin zeigten die Untersuchungen, dass die oszillierende Bewegungsform im Vergleich zur rotierenden Bewegung immer einen erhöhten Reibwert μ_ges auszeichnet. Abschließend wurden noch Reibexperimente zu Mehrfachstrukturen aus POM-C mit je 6 Einzelerhebungen im Kontakt durchgeführt. Auch hier lag eine hohe Übereinstimmung zwischen Experiment und Modell vor. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Reibwerte für beide Bewegungsformen auf μ_ges ~ 0,13 gesenkt werden können. Bezogen auf den jeweiligen höchsten Reibwert (μ_(ges,rotierend) ~ 0,24, μ_(ges,oszillierend) ~ 0,34), welcher mit glatten Probekörpern ermittelt wurde, stellt dies eine erhebliche Reduktion dar. / In this thesis, a semi-analytical calculation model for the coefficient of friction (COF) of single spherical protrusions which allows the calculation of the deformative (μ_def) and adhesive (μ_adh) friction parts was developed. The integration of a plastic (radius of the running track R_Spur) and a viscous (rear angle ω) component of deformation allows the calculation of the real area of contact during the friction process. Depending on the mean contact pressure, the adhesive friction part μ_adh can be determined. The experimental studies included unlubricated friction tests, which served to determine the total COF (μ_ges), as well as tests being lubricated with silicone oil, from which μ_def is obtained. Based on the verification tests, it could be shown that both states of lubrication result in the same deformation and that the relationship between the rear angle ω and μ_def postulated in the calculation model is valid. Therefore, friction tests were carried out with segmented spheres, which allow a specific variation of the rear angle ω. For both friction pairings investigated (steel | PE-UHMW and POM-C | PE-UHMW), it can be concluded that the deformative friction part μ_def is generally of minor significance (approx. 1/3 μ_ges) and the influence of the adhesive friction part μ_adh predominates (approx. 2/3 μ_ges). Thereby μ_adh and consequently also μ_ges decreases with increasing contact pressure p_(max,Ebene). The latter was introduced as a generalised reference value and describes the maximum Hertzian contact pressure of an equivalent sphere-plane contact, which is obtained by entering the radius of the sphere r_Kugel, the normal force and using the static E-moduli of both materials. Furthermore, the investigations revealed that the oscillating form of motion always has an increased COF μ_ges compared to the rotating motion. Finally, friction experiments on multiple structures made of POM-C were carried out, each with 6 individual protrusions in contact. Also here, there was good agreement between the experiment and the model. It could be demonstrated that COF for both forms of motion can be reduced to μ_ges ~ 0.13. In comparison to the highest COF (μ_(ges,rotating) ~ 0.24, μ_(ges,oscillating) ~ 0.34), which were obtained with flat specimens, this is a significant reduction.

This work examines the chemical and physical effects of a material treatment process on the biopolymers PEEK, POM-h, POM-c, PTFE and UHMWPE. The polymers are analyzed physically and chemically using atomic force microscopy, profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, contact angle measurement, FT infra-red spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. PEEK is found to be the most suitable polymer and FT Infra-red spectroscopy an informative analytic tool.

In this article the correlation between the average molar mass and the melt flow rate (MFR) is achieved. Based on the example of Polyoxymethylene (POM) it is shown that a high average molar mass is associated with a low MFR (high viscosity). On the basis of this dependency, the mechanical properties of static and dynamic tensile strength, elastic modulus, hardness and notched impact strength are investigated. It was found that the characteristic values of static tensile strength, elastic modulus and hard-ness increase with increasing MFR (decreasing viscosity). On the other hand the dynamic long-term properties and notched impact strengths decrease with increasing MFR. / Im Beitrag wird der Zusammenhang zwischen der mittleren molaren Masse und des Schmelzfließindex (MFR) hergestellt. Dabei wird am Beispiel von Polyoxymethylen (POM) ersichtlich, dass eine hohe mittlere molare Masse mit einem geringen MFR (hochviskos) einhergeht. Basierend auf dieser Abhängigkeit werden die mechanischen Eigenschaften statische und dynamische Zugfestigkeit, E-Modul, Härte sowie Kerbschlagzähigkeit untersucht. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Kenngrößen statische Zugfestigkeit, E-Modul und Härte mit steigendem MFR (abnehmende Viskosität) zunehmen. Die dynamischen Langzeiteigenschaften und Kerbschlagzähigkeiten sinken hingegen mit zunehmendem MFR.

No / Injection moulding techniques have been miniaturised and refined to achieve micromoulding which aims to satisfy the need for mass production of low-cost micro- and nanoscale components. However, the microscale mould cavity features and extreme processing conditions which are inherent in the process can result in larger process variations than conventional injection moulding, with a corresponding increase in the probability of producing an unsatisfactory product. Accurate process diagnosis is required to ensure process reliability but integration of sensors onto the small and highly detailed mould units can be problematic and alternatives may need to be sought. Piezoelectric film ultrasonic transducers were integrated onto the extrusion barrel and mould insert of a micromoulding machine for real-time, non-destructive and non-intrusive process diagnosis with an ultrasonic pulse-echo technique. Polymer degradation owing to excessive heating at the extrusion barrel was successfully probed by measuring the ultrasonic velocities in the polymer at the mould insert. Filling incompleteness of the mould cavity was also sensitively detected by monitoring the ultrasonic energy variation transmitted into the part at different points along the melt flow length. The developed ultrasonic sensors and technique enable optimisation and in-process quality assurance of the moulded parts which ensures that maximum process efficiency can be achieved.

This diploma thesis deals with the technology of noncontact hot plate welding and hot gas welding and with the optimizing of welding parameters of the chosen thermoplastics, especially of POM and PPA. The individual chapters in the theoretical part focus on following topics: technology of noncontact hot plate welding, technology of noncontact hot gas welding, description of the test welding machines and tools, main process parameters and evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology. In the practical part the welding parameters are optimized by the Design of Experiment systematic, the short-term capability machine and the microtome analysis are evaluated. In the end there are the results of the welding parameters optimization and comparison of noncontact welding technologies.

Plastics contribute 2 GTons to the global carbon footprint, today, several countries have set targets to achieve carbon neutrality. Plastics, being a major contributor to global carbon footprint, would need to be reduced significantly from our daily life to achieve that or a way needs to be devised to recycle them. A big bottleneck in this process is to reduce the consumption of thermosetting plastics or to reduce the emissions associated with plastic and move towards economical and environmentally safe plastics having a longer lifespan and efficient recyclability. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is the most commonly used 3D printed technology available today. Its applications range from production of prototypes to hollow shafts, and fully functional commercial components. This technology is revolutionary in a sense that it offers advantages such as cheaper raw materials, high degree of customizability, production in smaller batches at lower costs, decrease in material wastage, rapid prototyping, and complex geometry. A number of thermoplastic polymers can be used with FFF technology to produce parts, in addition research is on going to print materials not commonly used for FFF process. Polyoxymethylene (POM) could be a viable option for utilization as FFF basestock for the production of tribologically functional components. POM is an engineering thermoplastic that offers high resistance to wear, low friction, excellent impact resistance, and good chemical resistance. These properties render it suitable for production of gear wheels and low load bearings. It is currently processed using traditional manufacturing methods such as injection and compression moulding, while its printability has received very little attention in the openly available literature. An attempt has been made in this thesis to fill up this research gap by providing insight into POM filament quality, and the thermal, mechanical, and tribological behaviour of POM printed parts. The influence of overfill and layer height on the bulk properties of the printed samples, its play with counterface surface roughness and applied load has also been investigated.

In this article the correlation between the average molar mass and the melt flow rate (MFR) is achieved. Based on the example of Polyoxymethylene (POM) it is shown that a high average molar mass is associated with a low MFR (high viscosity). On the basis of this dependency, the mechanical properties of static and dynamic tensile strength, elastic modulus, hardness and notched impact strength are investigated. It was found that the characteristic values of static tensile strength, elastic modulus and hard-ness increase with increasing MFR (decreasing viscosity). On the other hand the dynamic long-term properties and notched impact strengths decrease with increasing MFR. / Im Beitrag wird der Zusammenhang zwischen der mittleren molaren Masse und des Schmelzfließindex (MFR) hergestellt. Dabei wird am Beispiel von Polyoxymethylen (POM) ersichtlich, dass eine hohe mittlere molare Masse mit einem geringen MFR (hochviskos) einhergeht. Basierend auf dieser Abhängigkeit werden die mechanischen Eigenschaften statische und dynamische Zugfestigkeit, E-Modul, Härte sowie Kerbschlagzähigkeit untersucht. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Kenngrößen statische Zugfestigkeit, E-Modul und Härte mit steigendem MFR (abnehmende Viskosität) zunehmen. Die dynamischen Langzeiteigenschaften und Kerbschlagzähigkeiten sinken hingegen mit zunehmendem MFR.