The friction and wear behaviour of polyamide 6 sliding against steel at low velocity under very high contact pressures

Abstract

The friction and wear behaviour of polyamide 6 sliding against steel under huge contact pressures and at very low sliding velocities was examined using large scale test specimens. The applied contact pressures and PV factors exceed the maximum allowable values cited in the literature. It is found that polyamide 6 resists huge contact pressures and allows relative sliding against steel without damaging the steel surface. The wear (material loss) is moderate, even at the huge contact pressures for which plastic flow (creep) is considerable. Polyamide 6 sliding against steel is found to be sensitive to stick-slip motion, which complicates accurate positioning, and the resulting vibrations can also lead to damage of the bearing material or even of the construction in which it is used.