Fretting wear behaviour of polymethylmethacrylate under linear motions and torsional contact conditions

The fretting wear behaviour of PMMA against a rigid counterface has been investigated under various contact zone kinematic conditions. A specific device has been used in order to achieve load axis spin or stationary rolling motions in a contact between a PMMA flat and a steel ball. Wear processes under such conditions have been investigated by means of laser profilometry and in-situ optical observations of the contact area during tests. Very different wear patterns were produced depending on the contact kinematics. For stationary rolling conditions, the progressive accumulation and compaction of debris induced the formation of a single ripple located in the middle of the contact. Very little debris was found to be eliminated from the contact and the resulting wear was quite low. On the other hand, little accumulation of debris was observed for torsional contact conditions and the wear was drastically enhanced. These results are analysed by considering the effects of contact zone kinematics on particle detachment and third body elimination. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.