PEF Friction Surface Material for Low-Wear Mechanical Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymer materials used in mechanical parts, such as POM, face challenges in tribological performance and are petroleum-based, making them difficult to recycle.

Innovation Solution

Utilization of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a biosourced alternative, which offers improved tribological performance and is recyclable, replacing materials like POM in frictional contact surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyoxymethylene (POM) is used for frictional contact surfaces, then tribological performance is achieved, but the material is petroleum-based and difficult to recycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetribological performanceVSAvoidpetroleum-based material difficulty to recycle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the polymer material from petroleum-based POM to biosourced PEF, maintaining the required mechanical and tribological properties while improving environmental compatibility and recyclability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses PEF as a biosourced polymer material that combines the desirable tribological properties of traditional polymers with the environmental benefits of bio-based, recyclable materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional polymer materials like POM are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but tribological performance can be further improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection moulding capabilityVSAvoidtribological performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from POM to PEF, which maintains compatibility with injection moulding processes while achieving superior tribological performance with reduced friction and wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If PEF is used for frictional contact surfaces, then the average dynamic coefficient of friction is reduced, but wear from contact remains comparable to POM

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reductionVSAvoidwear from contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to PEF, which achieves reduced friction coefficients in lubricated contacts while maintaining acceptable wear resistance, representing an overall improvement in tribological performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

PEF reduces the average dynamic coefficient of friction and maintains low wear, outperforming POM in lubricated contacts, while being environmentally friendly and recyclable.

Implementation Method 1

Tribological tests have shown that the use of the polymer PEF for horological parts inter alia, improves performance for lubricated contacts, reducing the average dynamic coefficient of friction compared with POM

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS12529997B2Functional mechanical part

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD

AI summary

A mechanical part (2, 3) including a functional surface intended to come into frictional contact with another functional surface, wherein the functional surface of the mechanical part (2, 3) is made of polyethylene furanoate.