Observation of crack propagation in PEEK polymer bearings under water-lubricated conditions

Hitonobu Koike*, Katsuyuki Kida, Takashi Honda, Koshiro Mizobe, Shunsuke Oyama, Justyna Rozwadowska, Yuji Kashima, Kenji Kanemasu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Radial ball bearings made of metal, ceramics and plastics are commonly used as important components in various types of industrial machinery. Due to the latest markets demands for elements capable of withstanding e.g. corrosive environment, metallic bearings are being gradually replaced by components produced from high performance engineering plastic polymers. In order to investigate the failure mechanism of polymer bearings and further improve their performance in practical applications in an underwater environment, in this research crack propagation in Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) was studied by rolling contact fatigue (RCF) testing under water. Crack propagation in the inner ring raceway surface and subsurface areas of PEEK bearings after testing was observed by a laser confocal microscope. Cracks and flaking failure were found on the bearing raceway surface. From the RCF tests results, it was found that the detected cracks could be divided into three groups: Main Surface Cracks, Semi-circular Cracks and Main Subsurface Cracks. It is concluded that flaking occurs on the inner ring raceway due to the fusion of semi-circular cracks and a main subsurface crack.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMachine Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Pages109-114
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Event2012 International Conference on Machine Design and Manufacturing Engineering, ICMDME 2012 - Jeju Island, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 2012/05/112012/05/12

Publication series

NameAdvanced Materials Research
Volume566
ISSN (Print)1022-6680

Conference

Conference2012 International Conference on Machine Design and Manufacturing Engineering, ICMDME 2012
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CityJeju Island
Period2012/05/112012/05/12

Keywords

  • Crack
  • PEEK
  • Plastic radial bearing
  • Rolling contact fatigue
  • Water lubrication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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