Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Wear Debris Adhesion on PEEK Bearing Surface

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a tough semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer with excellent mechanical properties and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), valued for its low friction coefficient are popular materials used for the production of bearings. In this work, rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tests were performed in order to investigate wear on bearing surfaces by using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). It is reported that PEEK’s specific peak at 1243cm-1was shifted and PEEK’s polymer bearing crystalline content level on wear surface remained unchanged by contact stress or wear debris adhesion.