Influence of Rolling Contact Fatigue (236 N–1250 rpm) Under 60 °C Water Immersion on Flaking-Induced Crystallinity Changes in PPS Radial Bearings

Polymer bearings are a good alternative to steel bearings for special situations (no oil, no lubrication and in water environments) because of their high chemical durability, water resistance and self-lubricating ability. In this study, we focused on the chemical structures of PPS on flaked surfaces formed in warm water. We investigated the effect of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) immersed in warm water on chemical structure which collected from the flaking surface of PPS radial ball bearings. We performed RCF tests in room-temperature and warm water (60 °C), and observed flaking damages. In most specimens, the ratios of the characteristic bands (1093/1074 cm−1) were similar to those of the no failure area. In contrast, the ratios of these characteristics bands increased in the samples collected from flaking surfaces in warm water. These results suggest that there is a combined effect of crack propagation under RCF and warm water temperature on the chemical structure in the PPS bearings.