All-hydrocarbon-composites (»All-HC«) are single-component, polyethylene-based composites. They are blends with a broad distribution of molecular weights (from low molecular weight PE to ultra-high molecular weight PE (UHMWPE)) which are synthesized using a multi-site catalyst. All-HC can be processed by conventional, extrusion-based processing techniques. If All-HC are subjected to shear flows during processing, the ultra-high molecular weight fraction is aligned to a fibrillar structure which re-enforces the material and results – compared to HDPE – in a 4-8 fold increase of Young’s modulus, the tensile strength and the notched Izod impact strength. Selected All-HC show a higher wear resistance than HDPE. In contrast to conventional fibre re-enforced composites, the re-enforcing effect of the fibrillar structure does not deteriorate during recycling since it forms anew during processing.
For suitable tribological loading conditions, the re-enforcing structures also can be formed in a frictional contact. Using a scanning electron microscope, the fibrils become visible as Shish-Kebabstructures in the wear track which are aligned in sliding direction.

The fibrillar structure increases the wear resistance of the All-HC. Therefore, by applying suitable tribological loads, the material adapts to external loads and becomes more resistant – like biological tissue which responds to external stimuli. In AdapTribo-2 shall be investigated how polymer-based drive systems can profit from the tribologically induced structure formation. The formation and stability of the Sish-Kebab-structures and their effect on the wear resistance will be investigated under the more complex tribological loading of a technical system, for example a gear tooth system. In addition, the effect of lubricants on the structure formation and the thermal management will be studied.