Abrasive wear under lubricated conditions

Abrasive wear of polymers has two components material can be removed by the rasping action of a countersurface or it can be sheared off viscoelastically by a countersurface to which it adheres. The precise balance of mechanisms depends on the characteristics of the counterface and the conditions under which the abrasion takes place. Many polymers exhibit excellent wear resistance, which in combination with their low coefficients of friction suit them for applications where lubrication is either impossible or undesirable. We use wear resistant polymers in such diverse applications as bushings in business machines, pump seals, and replacement hip and knee joints. 

In the extreme case where the load is supported entirely by solid-solid contact, frictional wear will be at a maximum. However, the transport of slurry under the wafer will be poor, resulting in a limited amount of chemical activity and little lubrication effect. Under such conditions elevated temperatures would be expected and mechanical abrasion would dominate. As a consequence, the polished surface is likely to be severely damaged. 

---