ABSTRACT
In the present work, the effect of heat treatment of the test specimens of the commom used polymers such as polyethylene, (PE), polypropylene, (PP) and polystyrene (PS) on their friction coefficient and wear was investigated.





 





 
Based on the experimental observations, it was found that AS the rate of cooling decreased hardness increased and consequently friction coefficient remarkably decreased. Quenched test specimens in oil, water and salt water possessed relatively lower hardness with relatively higher values of friction coefficient. The variation of friction coefficient increased with increasing the temperature of the heat treatment. Besides, wear of the tested polymers decreased as the cooling rate decreased. The effect of heat treatment on wear significantly increased with increasing temperature of heat treatment. PE showed the highest effect by heat treatment followed by PP and PS. The change in the friction and wear properties of polymers caused by heat treatment can be attributed to the change of their crystallization.