ISO 7148-2:2026
(Main)Plain bearings — Testing of the tribological behaviour of bearing materials — Part 2: Testing of polymer-based bearing materials
Plain bearings — Testing of the tribological behaviour of bearing materials — Part 2: Testing of polymer-based bearing materials
This document specifies tribological tests of polymer-based plain bearing materials under specified working conditions, i.e. load, sliding velocity and temperature, with and without lubrication. From the test results, data are obtained which indicate the relative tribological behaviour of metal-polymer and polymer-polymer rubbing parts. The purpose of this document is to obtain, for polymer material combinations used in plain bearings, reproducible measured values for friction and wear under specified and exactly-defined test conditions without lubrication (dry surfaces) and with lubrication (boundary lubrication).
Paliers lisses — Essai du comportement tribologique des matériaux antifriction — Partie 2: Essai des matériaux pour paliers à base de polymère
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 01-Feb-2026
- Current Stage
- 6060 - International Standard published
- Start Date
- 02-Feb-2026
- Due Date
- 19-Oct-2025
- Completion Date
- 02-Feb-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 21-Oct-2023
Overview
ISO 7148-2:2025 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies the testing procedures for evaluating the tribological behavior of polymer-based plain bearing materials. This standard provides detailed methods to assess friction and wear characteristics of polymer materials used in plain bearings under controlled working conditions such as load, sliding velocity, and temperature, both with and without lubrication.
The primary goal of ISO 7148-2 is to generate reproducible and comparable test results that guide the selection and application of polymer-based bearing materials-especially in metal-polymer and polymer-polymer combinations-ensuring optimal performance and material longevity in practical use.
Key Topics
Tribological Testing: ISO 7148-2 outlines standardized test methods including pin-on-disc, block-on-ring, rotation under thrust load, sphere-on-prism, plain bearing-on-shaft, and linear guidance system tests. These simulate real-world operating conditions to accurately measure friction coefficients, wear rates, and other tribological properties of polymer-based bearing materials.
Test Conditions: The standard specifies exact parameters for load, sliding speed, temperature, and lubrication state. Tests are conducted under dry (unlubricated) and boundary lubrication conditions to cover a range of service environments.
Test Specimens: Detailed requirements for test specimen preparation are provided, covering material selection, dimensions, surface finish, and mating components. This ensures consistency and reproducibility across different testing laboratories.
Lubrication Types: Tests include evaluation under various lubrication regimes such as dry, grease, oil, and solid lubricants, reflecting the diversity of operational conditions polymer bearings may encounter.
Data Reporting: The standard defines the format and content requirements for test reports, including measured friction and wear values, test conditions, material characteristics, and environmental factors, facilitating transparent and comparable data communication.
Special Features: Recognizes the unique behaviors of polymer materials such as sensitivity to temperature, load variation, and moisture. The test protocols account for these to improve the reliability of tribological assessments.
Applications
ISO 7148-2 is essential for engineers, manufacturers, and researchers involved in the design, testing, and quality control of plain bearings made from polymer materials. Key application areas include:
Automotive Industry: Development and validation of polymer bearings for engines, transmissions, and suspension systems where low friction and wear resistance are critical.
Industrial Machinery: Selection of bearing materials for equipment requiring durable, maintenance-free bearing solutions that operate under variable loads and speeds.
Aerospace Components: Testing materials to ensure performance reliability under extreme temperature and load conditions encountered in aerospace environments.
Manufacturing of Polymer Bearings: Quality assurance during production to certify that polymer-based bearings meet performance standards before deployment.
Research and Development: Comparative studies on new polymer composites or surface treatments aimed at improving bearing performance.
Related Standards
ISO 7148-1: Plain bearings – Testing of the tribological behaviour of bearing materials – Part 1: Testing of metallic materials. This part complements ISO 7148-2 by focusing on metal bearing materials.
ISO 8762: Plain bearings – Sintered bushes – Dimensions and tolerances, providing dimensional standards relevant to bearing components.
ISO 286: Geometrical product specifications (GPS) – ISO system of limits and fits, which underpins the tolerances referenced in specimen preparation.
ISO 5593: Tribology – Vocabulary, offering standardized definitions important for clear communication in tribological testing and research.
ISO/IEC Directives Part 2: Rules for the structure and drafting of ISO documents, ensuring clarity and uniformity in standards documentation.
Adhering to ISO 7148-2 enables consistent, reliable tribological testing of polymer-based plain bearings, providing vital data to make informed material choices that enhance the durability and efficiency of machinery across many industries. This standard supports innovation, quality assurance, and the optimization of polymer bearing applications worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 7148-2:2026 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Plain bearings — Testing of the tribological behaviour of bearing materials — Part 2: Testing of polymer-based bearing materials". This standard covers: This document specifies tribological tests of polymer-based plain bearing materials under specified working conditions, i.e. load, sliding velocity and temperature, with and without lubrication. From the test results, data are obtained which indicate the relative tribological behaviour of metal-polymer and polymer-polymer rubbing parts. The purpose of this document is to obtain, for polymer material combinations used in plain bearings, reproducible measured values for friction and wear under specified and exactly-defined test conditions without lubrication (dry surfaces) and with lubrication (boundary lubrication).
This document specifies tribological tests of polymer-based plain bearing materials under specified working conditions, i.e. load, sliding velocity and temperature, with and without lubrication. From the test results, data are obtained which indicate the relative tribological behaviour of metal-polymer and polymer-polymer rubbing parts. The purpose of this document is to obtain, for polymer material combinations used in plain bearings, reproducible measured values for friction and wear under specified and exactly-defined test conditions without lubrication (dry surfaces) and with lubrication (boundary lubrication).
ISO 7148-2:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 21.100.10 - Plain bearings. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 7148-2:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 7148-2:2012. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 7148-2:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 7148-2
Third edition
Plain bearings — Testing of the
2026-02
tribological behaviour of bearing
materials —
Part 2:
Testing of polymer-based bearing
materials
Paliers lisses — Essai du comportement tribologique des
matériaux antifriction —
Partie 2: Essai des matériaux pour paliers à base de polymère
Reference number
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and units. 1
5 Special features for the tribological testing of polymer-based materials . 3
6 Test methods . 3
6.1 General .3
6.2 Test method A — Pin-on-disc .6
6.3 Test method B — Block-on-ring .7
6.4 Test method C — Rotation under thrust load .8
6.5 Test method D — Sphere-on-prism .9
6.6 Test method E — Plain bearing-on-shaft .9
6.7 Test method F— Linear guidance system .10
7 Test specimens .11
7.1 Data required .11
7.2 Polymer-based plain bearing materials .11
7.3 Materials of mating component .11
7.4 Dimensions of test specimens . 12
7.4.1 General . 12
7.4.2 Disc . 12
7.4.3 Ring . 12
7.4.4 Pin . 12
7.4.5 Block . 12
7.4.6 Sphere. 13
7.4.7 Prism . 13
7.4.8 Plain bearing . 15
7.4.9 Shaft . 15
7.4.10 Sleeve . 15
7.4.11 Plate .16
7.4.12 Slider .16
7.5 Preparation of the test specimens .17
8 Test methods and test equipment . 17
8.1 General .17
8.2 Test method A — Pin-on-disc .18
8.3 Test method B — Block-on-ring .18
8.4 Test method C — Rotation under thrust load .19
8.4.1 General .19
8.4.2 Test method C1.19
8.4.3 Test method C2 .19
8.5 Test method D — Sphere-on-prism .19
8.6 Test method E — Plain bearing-on-shaft . 20
8.6.1 General . 20
8.6.2 Test method E1 . 20
8.6.3 Test method E2 . 20
8.6.4 Test method E3 . 20
8.7 Test method F— Linear guidance system . 20
9 Lubrication .20
9.1 General . 20
9.2 Dry (dr) .21
9.3 Grease (gr) .21
9.4 Oil (oi) .21
iii
9.5 Solid lubricant (so) .21
10 Designation .21
11 Test conditions .21
11.1 Environmental conditions .21
11.2 Mounting of the test specimens . 22
11.3 Test variables . 22
12 Test procedure .24
12.1 Running-in .24
12.2 Carrying out the tests .24
13 Test report .24
13.1 General .24
13.2 Test results .24
Annex A (informative) Test report .26
Bibliography .28
iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 123, Plain bearings, Subcommittee SC 2,
Materials and lubricants, their properties, characteristics, test methods and testing conditions.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 7148-2:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the descriptive statement in Clause 1 about matching test conditions to practical applications have been
moved to Clause 5;
— Clause 2 "Normative references" has been updated;
— Clause 3 "Terms and definitions" has been added and subsequent clauses have been renumbered;
— Table 1 and Table A.1 have been updated with symbols and units;
— Clause 6 has been updated and a new Table 2 has been added to compare test methods;
— Clause 7 has been updated where example of warning messages have been added;
— subclause 7.4.9 and subclause 8.3 have been updated with runout tolerance requirements to make the
test more accurate;
— Clause 11 has been updated where the relative humidity symbol "RH" has been added;
— Clause 13 "Test report" has been changed to make the reports completer; text have been moved to make
the procedures clearer;
— subclause 7.4.6 and subclause 8.2 have been updated to include footnotes and references have been
added;
— footnotes have been added to "balls for ball bearings" in subclause 7.4.6 and "precision rolling bearings"
in subclause 8.2, and bibliographies have been added.
v
A list of all parts in the ISO 7148 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
vi
International Standard ISO 7148-2:2026(en)
Plain bearings — Testing of the tribological behaviour of
bearing materials —
Part 2:
Testing of polymer-based bearing materials
1 Scope
This document specifies tribological tests of polymer-based plain bearing materials under specified working
conditions, i.e. load, sliding velocity and temperature, with and without lubrication. From the test results,
data are obtained which indicate the relative tribological behaviour of metal-polymer and polymer-polymer
rubbing parts.
The purpose of this document is to obtain, for polymer material combinations used in plain bearings,
reproducible measured values for friction and wear under specified and exactly-defined test conditions
without lubrication (dry surfaces) and with lubrication (boundary lubrication).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4378-2, Plain bearings — Terms, definitions, classification and symbols — Part 2: Friction and wear
ISO 4378-3, Plain bearings — Terms, definitions, classification and symbols — Part 3: Lubrication
ISO 4385, Plain bearings — Compression testing of bearing materials
ISO 6691, Thermoplastic polymers for plain bearings — Classification and designation
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 4378-2, ISO 4378-3 the following
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
conditioning
one or more operations intended to bring a sample or test specimen into a state of equilibrium with regard
to temperature and humidity.
[SOURCE: ISO 291:2008, 3.4]
4 Symbols and units
See Table 1.
Table 1 — Symbols, units and abbreviated terms
Symbol Term Unit
A, B, C, D, E, F
Test method -
(C1, C2, E1, E2,
E3)
a Sliding distance km
b Machined plate length mm
b Machined plate width mm
dr Dry -
F
f
f Coefficient of friction; ratio between friction force and normal force, i.e.: f= -
F
n
F Friction force N
f
F Normal force N
n
gr Grease -
t Machined plate thickness mm
Coefficient of wear, volumetric wear rate related to the normal force, i.e.:
V w
K mm /(N·km)
w v
w
K
w
Fa F
n n
l Linear wear as measured by change in distance mm
w
oi Oil -
p
Specific force per unit area (force/projected contact area) N/mm
Thermal constant of the test equipment.
Q °C·m·s/N
QTTf/1pU 0
limamb
RH Relative humidity %
Ra Surface parameter, arithmetic mean height µm
Rk Surface parameter, core height µm
Rpk Surface parameter, reduced peak height µm
Rvk Surface parameter, reduced pit depth µm
R Compression strength N/mm
cF
R 0,2 % Compression limit N/mm
cp0,2
so Solid lubricant -
Specimen's temperature near the sliding surface during testing under steady-
T °C
state conditions
T Ambient temperature °C
amb
T Glass transition temperature °C
g
T Maximum permissible temperature °C
lim
t Plate thickness mm
t Test duration h
Ch
U Sliding velocity m/s
V Material removed by wear as measured by change in volume mm
W
l
w
w mm/km
Linear wear rate, i.e.; w =
l
l
a
V
w
w mm /km
Volumetric wear rate, i.e.: w =
v
v
a
η Lubricant dynamic viscosity Pa·s
5 Special features for the tribological testing of polymer-based materials
Polymers have a low thermal conductivity and a low melting temperature, so that heat resulting from contact
friction can lead to partial melting and hence thermal wear. Due to the high thermal expansion of polymers
(up to 10 times higher than that of steel), results obtained can be misleading because the test specimens
have expanded under frictional heat. Hence, allowance shall be made for the effects of thermal expansion
(change of clearance) and thermal conductivity (melting) when assessing the results. Where possible the
temperature of both test specimens should be controlled.
Polymers have a glass transition temperature, T , which depends on their chemical structure. At this
g
temperature, their physical properties and their tribological behaviour can change.
Injection-moulded polymer surfaces have different properties from machined surfaces. The test specimens
shall be tested with the same surface conditions as they have in practical application.
Reinforcements and fillers, i.e. fibres, can lead to very strong anisotropy of the material and influence its
wear behaviour depending on fibre orientation. The test specimens should have the same fibre orientation
as in practical application.
In order to avoid stick-slip, the test rig shall be very stiff and shall not be susceptible to vibrations.
The tribological behaviour of polymers depends very strongly on the material combination, which part
moves and which part remains stationary. The test system shall be similar to practical application.
Polymers show wear processes that are different from that of metals. There are not only abrasive wear
processes with powder-like wear debris, but also adhesive wear processes with the creation of transfer
layers which can be smooth or rough. Also scoring, plastic deformation or even thermal wear is possible.
Therefore, wear cannot be gravimetrically measured in all cases and the wear status shall be judged
after the tests (whether the surfaces are fine- or coarse- grained, scored or plucked out, scaled, melted or
plastically deformed).
Some polymers can show poor repeatability of the results and require repeated testing (i.e. six or more
repetitions).
The preparation and preparatory treatment (e.g. conditioning, storage, cleaning) of the test specimens can
have a high influence on performance.
In some thermoplastics, e.g. polyamides, moisture absorption effects a gradual change in linear dimensions
and modifies their mechanical properties. Environmental parameters should, therefore, be controlled in the
test array. Moisture absorption prohibits gravimetrical measurement of wear.
The test results give useful information for practical application only if all parameters of influence are
identical. The more the test conditions deviate from the actual application, the greater the uncertainty of the
applicability of the results.
6 Test methods
6.1 General
The more the test conditions deviate from the actual application, the greater the uncertainty of the
applicability of the results. Different test methods are provided for tests in accordance with this document
so that the following contact geometries are available. An overview on these test methods is given in Table 2.
The test methods should correspond to the practical application as closely as possible.
Table 2 — Overview on test methods
Rotating
Contact Load direc-
Test method moving Sketch Simulation
a
mode tion
b
part
A
PP Thrust Disc
Pin-on-disc
B
CC Radial Ring
Block -on-
ring
C1
PP Thrust Sleeve
Sleeve-to-
Simulation under approx-
sleeve
imated practical testing
conditions and model
systems
C2
PP Thrust Sleeve
Sleeve-to-
plate
a
Key: C——Cylindrical surface; P——Plane; S——Spherical surface;
b
Usually, the base and larger body is determined to be the stationary body, while the smaller one as the counter-body is to be
designated in motion. However, the designation is sometimes derived from the practical application.
c
Not rotating but linear oscillating.
TTabablele 2 2 ((ccoonnttiinnueuedd))
Rotating
Contact Load direc-
Test method moving Sketch Simulation
a
mode tion
b
part
D
Thrust and
PS Sphere
Sphere-on-
Radial
prism
E
CC Radial Shaft
Plain bear-
ing-on-shaft
Simulation of real rub-
bing contacts
F
c
PP Thrust Slider
Linear guid-
ance system
a
Key: C——Cylindrical surface; P——Plane; S——Spherical surface;
b
Usually, the base and larger body is determined to be the stationary body, while the smaller one as the counter-body is to be
designated in motion. However, the designation is sometimes derived from the practical application.
c
Not rotating but linear oscillating.
6.2 Test method A — Pin-on-disc
Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a disc and pin assembly.
NOTE This method has both advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Advantages:
— basic testing of simple test specimens;
— testing of tribological properties;
— no increase of sliding surface area due to wear;
— initial ranking of materials;
— with and without lubrication.
Disadvantages:
— the pin can wipe off lubricant;
— no injection moulding of the pin and the disc because of problems with shrinkage, unless the specimens are
mechanically machined after injection moulding;
— fibre orientation has to be taken into account for specimens with fibre reinforced material.
a) A1(vertical) b) A2(horizontal)
Key
1 disc
2 pin
Figure 1 — Test method A — Pin-on-disc
6.3 Test method B — Block-on-ring
Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of a block and ring assembly.
NOTE This method has both advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Advantages:
— basic testing of simple test specimens;
— testing of tribological properties;
— initial ranking of materials;
— with and without lubrication.
Disadvantages:
— the block can wipe off lubricant;
— no injection moulding of the block and the ring because of problems with shrinkage, unless the specimens are
mechanically machined after injection moulding;
— fibre orientation has to be taken into account for specimens with fibre reinforced material.
Key
1 ring
2 block
Figure 2 — Test method B — Block-on-ring
6.4 Test method C — Rotation under thrust load
Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a sleeve-to-sleeve and sleeve-to-plate assembly.
NOTE This method has both advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Advantages:
— basic testing of simple test specimens;
— injection-moulded test specimens available;
— testing of tribological properties;
— initial ranking of materials;
— no increase of sliding surface area due to wear;
— continuous sliding between specimens;
— with and without lubrication.
Disadvantages:
— plastic deformation affects results;
— no injection moulding of the specimen because of problems with shrinkage, unless the specimens are mechanically
machined after injection moulding;
— thermally problematic due to complete overlap;
— wear particles cannot be removed out of the contacting area.
a) C1 — Sleeve-to-sleeve b) C2 — Sleeve-to-plate
Key
1 sleeve
2 plate
Figure 3 — Rotation under thrust load
6.5 Test method D — Sphere-on-prism
Figure 4 shows a schematic drawing of a sphere and prism assembly.
NOTE This method has both advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Advantages:
— testing of polymer/polymer or polymer/metal combinations;
— with and without lubrication (test specimen contains reservoir for lubricant);
— testing of lubricant’s interaction with polymers;
— injection-moulded test specimens available;
— self-adjustment of the alignment of the sliding couple.
Disadvantages:
— plastic deformation can affect results;
— increasing sliding surface area due to wear under boundary lubrication and dry condition.
Key
1 sphere
2 prism
Figure 4 — Test method D — Sphere-on-prism
6.6 Test method E — Plain bearing-on-shaft
Figure 5 shows a schematic drawing of a plain bearing and shaft assembly.
NOTE This method has both advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Advantages:
— best simulation of all possible systems;
— testing of original or scaled bearings;
— prediction of practical behaviour;
— with and without lubrication.
Disadvantages:
— long testing time (accelerated testing can cause excessive frictional heating);
— difficult alignment of the test bearing;
— increasing sliding surface area due to wear under boundary lubrication and dry condition.
Key
1 shaft
2 plain bearing
Figure 5 — Test method E — Plain bearing-on-shaft
6.7 Test method F— Linear guidance system
Figure 6 shows a schematic drawing of a slider and plate assembly.
NOTE This method has both advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Advantages:
— basic testing of simple test specimens;
— testing of tribological properties;
— no increase of sliding surface area due to wear;
— initial ranking of materials;
— simulation of linear guidance system;
— with and without lubrication.
Disadvantages:
— the slider can wipe off lubricant;
— no injection moulding of the slider and the plate because of problems with shrinkage, unless the specimens are
mechanically machined after injection moulding;
— fibre orientation has to be taken into account for specimens with fibre reinforced material.
Key
1 slider
2 plate
Figure 6 — Test method F — Linear guidance system
7 Test specimens
7.1 Data required
For one series of tests, several specimens of one material shall be from the same batch, with uniform state
after conditioning and uniform finish of the sliding surface. Machined and injection-moulded specimens can
create different results because crystallinity can vary with depth from the surface. They should be tested
separately.
The structural condition of the mating materials constitutes an essential factor as far as the repeatability of
the test results is concerned, the following information shall be provided:
a) material specification and composition, including fillers or details of fibre reinforcement (as specified in
ISO 6691);
b) method of manufacture;
c) structure, e.g. density, degree of crystallinity;
d) mechanical material properties, e.g. Shore hardness, 0,2 % compression limit, R (as specified in
cp0,2
ISO 4385), compression strength, R ;
cF
e) state of conditioning, e.g. moisture content;
f) surface condition and surface roughness, Ra (under certain conditions, Rpk, Rk, Rvk of the specimens
should also be controlled), e.g. injection-moulded, machined (as specified in ISO 2818), turned, ground,
lapped, polished, milled.
7.2 Polymer-based plain bearing materials
These can be made by moulding, injection moulding or by cutting bar or tube to length or by machining all
over from semi-finished materials or by cutting from injection-moulded or laminated (composite) plates.
If fibre-reinforced polymers are to be tested, the fibres shall lie in the same direction in the test as in the
final product, e.g. parallel or perpendicular to the sliding surface.
7.3 Materials of mating component
All metallic and polymer-based materials can be considered as mating materials. The choice should be the
same as in practical application. In technical applications, all systems are possible, e.g. gear box of aluminium
with injection-moulded gears and shafts of polyoxymethylene (POM). The mating materials shall have the
same sliding couple, e.g. rotating POM disc or ball on fixed pin or prism out of aluminium. In this case, the
reverse combination POM pin on aluminium disc leads to errors in evaluation.
7.4 Dimensions of test specimens
7.4.1 General
If dimensions other than those described as follows are used, the results will not be comparable due to the
effects of transfer films and heat dissipation.
7.4.2 Disc
The disc should have the following dimensions:
— outside diameter: 110 mm;
— inside diameter: 60 mm;
— radius of the sliding track: (51,5 ± 0,2) mm;
— width: 10 mm.
The basic form of the disc is identical to shaft thrust washer of a thrust ball bearing.
The said thrust ball bearing shaft washer belongs to dimension series 13 according to ISO 104. The
commercial product designation of bearing manufacturers is 51312.
CAUTION — Only the shaft washer back face can be used for the test. Alternatively, a shaft washer
of a cylindrical roller thrust bearing dimension series 93 according to ISO 104 can be used. The
commercial product designation of bearing manufacturers is 89312.
CAUTION — The shaft washer back face and the raceway of the shaft washer have different surface
conditions.
7.4.3 Ring
The ring should have an outside diameter of 40 mm and a width corresponding at least to the width of the
block.
7.4.4 Pin
The pin should have a diameter of 3 mm for injection-moulded materials. For fibre-reinforced materials, a
larger diameter is preferred.
If a pin with a diameter greater than 7 mm is used, the radius of the sliding track has to be reduced or the
disc diameter increased. Means shall be provided for preventing rotation of the pin.
The free length of the pin should not exceed 2 mm. Due to its dimensions, it is possible to make the 3 mm
diameter polymer pin out of a standard tension bar in accordance with ISO 527-3 or ISO 527-2. This allows
the correlation of wear and strength tests.
7.4.5 Block
The preferred basic dimensions of the block should be 10 mm × 10 mm × 20 mm. If a suitably large component
is not available, the block may, as an exception, be used with a length of 10 mm. The roughness of the block
depends on the machining conditions, e.g. milling or turning. The radius of the rubbing surface of the block
should be a minimum of 1,001 times the radius of the ring. If the maximum radius exceeds 1,003 times the
radius of the ring (line contact), the running-in period can be unduly prolonged (see 12.1).
7.4.6 Sphere
The sphere should have a diameter of 12,7 mm. Thermoplastics can be injection-moulded (see Figure 7).
1)
Spheres made out of metals are commercially available (balls for ball bearings or valves).
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 six-flat mount with cylindrical hole
2 position of injection molding port
Figure 7 — Example of an injection-moulded sphere
7.4.7 Prism
The prism has a preferred special shape. If injection-moulded, the prism specimen shall have a uniform wall
thickness (2 mm) and metallic support (see Figure 8) in order to avoid deformation. Alternatively, machined
plates can be fitted into a special mount (see Figure 9).
1) See also ISO 3290-1.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 metallic support
2 position of injection molding port
Figure 8 — Example of an injection-moulded prism
Key
1 metal holder
2 machined plate
Figure 9 — Example of machined plates, inserted in a metallic holder
7.4.8 Plain bearing
The plain bearing bush can be made by machining or by injection moulding. Depending on the test equipment
used, it is possible to use plain bearings with different inside diameters, the preferred inside diameters
being 20 mm, 5 mm or 1 mm, the latter being used for special applications, the width/diameter ratio being
0,75 or 1.
The diameter, bearing clearance, wall thickness and type of bearing used (bush or half bearing) shall be
indicated in the test report. Smaller plain bearings should have a flange in order to allow to fix them in the
mount (see Figure 10). The sliding surface area shall lie within the cylindrical part of the plain bearing.
Key
1 flange
2 sliding surface
Figure 10 — Example of an injection-moulded plain bearing with step and chamfer in the bore
7.4.9 Shaft
The shaft piece used for the test shall be made with a circular run-out tolerance 5 μm maximum and a
circularity of not more than 5 μm. Irrespective of the test equipment used, it shall be ensured that the test
specimens (test bush and shaft) mounted in the test equipment have a maximum angular deviation of 0,05°
prior to the test and in the absence of a normal force. The diameter of the shaft (i.e. the bearing clearance)
shall be sufficient to allow for thermal expansion of the bush (risk of bore closure leading to seizure) and
depends on the wall thickness, temperature of operation and material properties. The (cold) diametral
clearance can vary from 0,003 times to 0,01 times the shaft diameter, being kept as small as possible
consistent with avoiding seizure.
7.4.10 Sleeve
The sleeve can be made by machining or injection moulding. The preferred basic dimensions of the sleeve
are shown in Figure 11.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 11 — Dimensions of sleeve
7.4.11 Plate
The plate can be made by machining or injection moulding. The preferred basic dimensions of the plate are
shown in Figure 12.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
t 2 to 5
Figure 12 — Dimensions of plate
7.4.12 Slider
The slider can be made by machining or injection moulding. The slider shall be ensured that the friction
surface is free of scratch, pitting, shrinkage mark, and other visible defects that will affect the test result.
The flatness of the slider shall be within 5 μm.
7.5 Preparation of the test specimens
7.5.1 The preparation applies to bearing materials and mating materials.
Immediately prior to the test, a cleaning procedure shall be carried out in order to avoid influences on the
sliding behaviour which can result from remainders of the cutting solutions and other substances that can
possibly have been used in the manufacture of the test specimens.
7.5.2 The following cleaning procedures shall be carried out.
a) Step1: Brush loose particles with a soft brush from the test specimens. Then immerse the test specimens
−4
in three separate baths of a high-quality solvent (with a maximum impurity volume of 5 × 10 %)
which is suitable for the type of material to be tested. Suitable solvents are, for example, 2-propanol,
ethanol, acetone, fluorocarbons, some water solutions or cyclohexane. In all cases, the compatibility of
plastic material and solvent shall be ensured. Data pertaining to the cleaning procedure and the solvent
selected shall be included in the test report.
Warning:
2-propanol, ethanol, acetone, and cyclohexane are flammable.
2-propanol act as central nervous system depressants.
ISO 7010-W001 ISO 7010-W021
Cyclohexane and fluorocarbons are harmful to health and dangerous to the environment.
ISO 7010-W071 ISO 7010-W072
b) Step2: The test specimens shall be dried in an oven at a maximum temperature of 60 °C.
c) Step3: Test specimens of polymers which are affected by humidity, e.g. polyamides, shall be pre-
conditioned prior to the test at standard atmosphere (23 °C and 50 % air humidity) for a period of 24 h.
This cleaning method cannot be carried out in all cases, for example for thermoplastic amorphous materials
that show incompatibilities with the solvents, or polymers with incorporated lubricants or porous fibres.
They shall be machined dry (no cutting fluid) or injection-moulded without mould release agent. The sliding
surfaces shall not be touched by hand.
7.5.3 After the cleaning procedure has been completed, the test specimens shall not be touched on the
sliding surfaces, which are to be in contact with each other, neither by hand nor with any tool.
8 Test methods and test equipment
8.1 General
In order to give manufacturers or users of polymer-based materials for plain bearings the opportunity to
simulate different practical applications, different test methods are standardized.
This document lays down test methods according to the following categories:
a) basic testing of simple test specimens;
b) approximated practical testing of simple test specimens;
c) testing of an original component or a scaled-down unit.
This means that this document proposes only tests with basic or simulation tests for selection. Variant
c) above (testing of an original component) allows the use of original components as test specimens, for
example plain bearings made of thermoplastic materials in real size.
8.2 Test method A — Pin-on-disc
This test shall be carried out with pins in accordance with 7.4.4 and discs in accordance with 7.4.2.
The spindle holding the disc shall be mounted in precision rolling bearings rolling bearings with tolerance
classes better than class 5 (see
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