Particle-induced wear of plain bearings

Thin film polymers are increasingly being used in plain bearing systems due to their excellent sliding and emergency running properties. Due to the relatively low modulus of elasticity, these systems are designed with very thin layers. Otherwise, the negative properties of compliance, creep and poor heat transfer would predominate. However, the low layer thicknesses make the bearing systems highly susceptible to particle penetration and wear. One focus of the research institute’s investigations is therefore on extreme adhesion, such as that caused by particle-induced wear.