Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants
The importance of reducing energy-related environmental and economic issues by extending the lifetime and efficiency of mechanical systems has increased. The use of ultralow friction composite materials is one approach to eliminate frictional wear. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has excellent low fr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Tsinghua University Press
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Friction |
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| Online Access: | https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441022 |
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| author | Yuri Park Si-Geun Choi Chan-Hyun Cho Jong-Hyoung Kim Jin-Young Park Myoung-Hwan Park |
| author_facet | Yuri Park Si-Geun Choi Chan-Hyun Cho Jong-Hyoung Kim Jin-Young Park Myoung-Hwan Park |
| author_sort | Yuri Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The importance of reducing energy-related environmental and economic issues by extending the lifetime and efficiency of mechanical systems has increased. The use of ultralow friction composite materials is one approach to eliminate frictional wear. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has excellent low friction properties and has been used to reduce frictional wear in various industrial fields. However, degradation of PTFE in natural environments poses challenges owing to its stable chemical structure, which is characterized by strong C‒F bonds. Furthermore, PTFE can accumulate in the living body and environment over a long period of time. Consequently, it is resistant to physiological filtration or decomposition. Hence, it is sometimes called a “forever chemical”. Therefore, PTFE, which is a type of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), is increasingly being adopted as a regulated substance. This review focuses on several aspects of PTFE and PFAS, reasons for their adoption as regulated chemicals, and research on alternatives to PTFE, particularly the use of liquid lubricants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d060f3a86a5d444e81f524bec0245566 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7690 2223-7704 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Tsinghua University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Friction |
| spelling | doaj-art-d060f3a86a5d444e81f524bec02455662025-08-20T03:05:42ZengTsinghua University PressFriction2223-76902223-77042025-06-01136944102210.26599/FRICT.2025.9441022Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricantsYuri Park0Si-Geun Choi1Chan-Hyun Cho2Jong-Hyoung Kim3Jin-Young Park4Myoung-Hwan Park5Convergence Research Center, Nanobiomaterials Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of KoreaHigh-Tech Bearing Technology Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Yeongju 36144, Republic of KoreaNBChem Co., Ltd., Seoul 01795, Republic of KoreaHigh-Tech Bearing Technology Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Yeongju 36144, Republic of KoreaHigh-Tech Bearing Technology Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Yeongju 36144, Republic of KoreaConvergence Research Center, Nanobiomaterials Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of KoreaThe importance of reducing energy-related environmental and economic issues by extending the lifetime and efficiency of mechanical systems has increased. The use of ultralow friction composite materials is one approach to eliminate frictional wear. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has excellent low friction properties and has been used to reduce frictional wear in various industrial fields. However, degradation of PTFE in natural environments poses challenges owing to its stable chemical structure, which is characterized by strong C‒F bonds. Furthermore, PTFE can accumulate in the living body and environment over a long period of time. Consequently, it is resistant to physiological filtration or decomposition. Hence, it is sometimes called a “forever chemical”. Therefore, PTFE, which is a type of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), is increasingly being adopted as a regulated substance. This review focuses on several aspects of PTFE and PFAS, reasons for their adoption as regulated chemicals, and research on alternatives to PTFE, particularly the use of liquid lubricants.https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441022polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe)perfluoroalkyl substance (pfas)eco-friendlylow frictionoil-filled capsulesliquid lubricants |
| spellingShingle | Yuri Park Si-Geun Choi Chan-Hyun Cho Jong-Hyoung Kim Jin-Young Park Myoung-Hwan Park Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants Friction polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) perfluoroalkyl substance (pfas) eco-friendly low friction oil-filled capsules liquid lubricants |
| title | Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants |
| title_full | Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants |
| title_fullStr | Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants |
| title_short | Environmental limitations of PTFE for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants |
| title_sort | environmental limitations of ptfe for ultralow friction composites and alternatives to using liquid lubricants |
| topic | polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) perfluoroalkyl substance (pfas) eco-friendly low friction oil-filled capsules liquid lubricants |
| url | https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441022 |
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