Elevated pitting wear of injection molded polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rolls

► Increased pitting of cylindric PEEK bearing elements in the presence of lubricants. ► Hypotheses for this effect found in the literature were contradicted. ► Superficial pre-cracks that facilitated pitting were found. ► Reduction of pre-cracks with modified injection molding process. ► Improved surface quality strongly reduced pitting and increased component lifetime.