Abstract: Two railway bridge bearing composites based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were prepared and their mechanical properties, heat-resistance, heavy load-bearing capacity, and wear-resistance were compared. It was found that the notched impact strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength of PE-UHMW composites were better than those of PTFE counterpart. The thermal conductivity of PE-UHMW composites was 0.58 W/(m·K), which was 223.1 % of that based on PTFE. The creep rates of PE-UHMW composites under a pressure of 90 and 190 MPa for 24 hours were 47.1 % and 81.4 % of those based on PTFE, respectively. Found in an abrasion test of 50 km, the line wear rate of PE-UHMW composites was only 7.4 % of that based on PTFE.

Key words: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, wear-resistant material, railway bridge bearing