The effect of surface defects on the wear of Nylon 66 under dry and water lubricated sliding

In polymeric bearing applications it was found that the polymer tends to wear more quickly than indicated in laboratory wear tests. The reason has been attributed to the effect of loading conditions and the generation of fatigue surface cracks. The current study investigated the effect of single imposed vertical crack in the Nylon 66 surface upon its wear behaviour in dry and water lubricated sliding conditions. The polymer was tested under different static and cyclic loading parameters. There was consistent evidence of the effect of surface crack on the wear rate under static and cyclic loading conditions.

► Effect of imposed vertical crack in the Nylon 66 surface upon its wear.
► In dry sliding, wear mechanisms were related to progressive surface fatigue.
► In wet sliding, higher wear rates due to plasticization and softening.
► Under cyclic load, an increase in wear rates with load ratio was detected.