Abstract
Application of plastics for dry bearings and gears has been expanding rapidly in recent years.
This paper reviews our present understanding of the friction and wear mechaisms of polymeric materials, and tribological data on the wear of commercially available plastic-based bearing materials. In particular the effect of sliding speed, contact pressure and temperature on the friction and wear is discussed and the influence of their mechanical properties on the wear rate is also assessed. This article also reviews the data of the wear of commercially available plastic-based bearing materials to enable desginers to select appropriate ones.
