Wear Failure of PEEK-Alumina Ball Bearings in Dry Rolling Contact at 600 rpm Part 1: Effect of Failure due to Wear Damage on Friction Torque

The rolling contact fatigue of PEEK-alumina ball bearings in non-lubrication was tested under 500 N and 600 N. During the tests, the friction torque was measured. The retainers under both conditions broke during the tests, and rubbed on the upper and bottom races. The friction features were not different between 500 N and 600 N. However, the black colored surfaces on the races and retainer were identified only in the test under 600 N. The wear loss of the bearing tested under 600 N was larger than that under 500 N. From these results, the specimen under 600 N received the heavier wear damages than that under 500 N, and the worn surface was not related to the friction torque. The wear damages of the inner elements and the outer rings in the retainer were larger than those of the races and 9-alumina balls in both specimens.