Polybenzimidazole (PBI) is a high performance polymer that can potentially replace metal components in some high temperature conditions where lubrication is challenging or impossible. Yet most characterisations so far have been conducted at relatively low temperatures. In this work, the tribological properties of PBI were examined with a steel ball-PBI disc contact at 280 °C under high load and high sliding speed conditions. The dry friction coefficient is relatively low and decreases modestly with increasing applied load. Surface analysis shows that PBI transfer layers are responsible for the low friction observed. In-situ contact temperature measurements were performed to provide for the first time direct links between the morphology and distribution of the transfer layer, and the temperature distribution in the contact. The results show that high pressure and high temperature in heavily loaded contacts promote the removal and the subsequent regeneration of a transfer layer, resulting in a very thin transfer layer on the steel counterface. FeOOH is formed in the contact at high loads, instead of Fe₂O₃. This may affect the adhesion between PBI and the counterface and thus influence the transfer layer formation process. To control PBI wear, contact temperature management will be crucial.

聚苯并咪唑（PBI）是一种高性能聚合物，可以在润滑困难或不可能的某些高温条件下替代金属成分。到目前为止，大多数表征都是在相对较低的温度下进行的。在这项工作中，在高负载和高滑动速度条件下，在280°C下使用钢球-PBI圆盘触点检查了PBI的摩擦学性能。干摩擦系数相对较低，并且随着施加的载荷的增加适度降低。表面分析表明，PBI转移层是观察到的低摩擦的原因。原位进行接触温度测量以首次提供转移层的形态和分布与接触中的温度分布之间的直接联系。结果表明，高负荷接触中的高压和高温会促进转移层的去除和随后的再生，从而导致钢对接面上的转移层非常薄。FeOOH代替Fe ₂ O ₃在高载荷下形成于接触中。这可能会影响PBI和对面之间的粘附力，从而影响转印层的形成过程。为了控制PBI磨损，接触温度管理至关重要。