20.500.12556/RUL-179094 Enhancing the tribological performance of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer using carbon-alloyed transition metal dichalcogenide coatings The demand for light-weight polymeric materials such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is increasing for advanced engineering components, like polymeric gears. However, the intrinsic limitations of PEEK, including high friction, poor wear resistance, and rapid surface degradation restrict its larger adoption. This work is dedicated towards enhancing the dry sliding performance of PEEK via surface modifications. Direct current magnetron sputtered (DCMS) carbon-alloyed tungsten disulfide (WSC) coatings having C content of ∼52 at. % were deposited on PEEK polymer substrates at low power. Modifications of coating architecture were obtained by depositing coatings with and without inter/gradient layers. Comprehensive post-deposition characterization included chemical composition, cross-section and surface morphology, crystal structure, detailed chemical bonding, and coatings-PEEK adhesion investigations. The coatings were uniform, compact, amorphous, and provided complete surface alteration of PEEK with sufficient coating-polymer adhesion. Under ambient air sliding, the WSC coating with inter/gradient layer architecture exhibited the best performance, by reduction in friction coefficient (COF) and specific wear rate up to ∼34.3 % and ∼98.3 %, respectively relative to the uncoated PEEK. Post sliding Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that C dominated the role in the reduction of COF and wear through the formation of a stable, partially graphitized tribolayer. This work establishes a scalable pathway for integrating solid-lubricant coatings on polymeric components, opening new opportunities for their reliable use in high-load and energy-efficient industrial systems. PEEK polymer transition metal dichalcogenide WSC coatings surface modification PVD magnetron sputtering tribological performance true false true Angleški jezik Ni določen Članek v reviji 2026-02-05 08:58:11 2026-02-05 08:58:19 2026-02-06 04:52:58 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 14 str. Vol. 218, art. 111739 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 539.92 0301-679X 10.1016/j.triboint.2026.111739 267358979 Yaqub_..._Enhancing_the_tribological.pdf Yaqub_..._Enhancing_the_tribological.pdf 1 7EA5DDDDF1F831C9DFBDF46D6691E5F9 5358ebda75ad5309e084e52e7e883454e8d595ff5e07c938eaf017acd9d8516e eed80408-0269-11f1-a1ba-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=227227 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301679X26000812 1 58dc11bb-0268-11f1-a1ba-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=227225 Fakulteta za strojništvo 0 0 0