Tribological and Mechanical Performance of 3D-Printed Polymers for Water-Lubricated Sliding Bearings

This paper presents the results of experimental studies on the mechanical and tribological properties of samples produced using the fused filament fabrication method. These studies aim to identify a potential material for a water-lubricated sliding bearing that will be manufactured using 3D printing. Printed specimens fabricated from four different materials were analyzed for surface profile, mechanical properties via the instrumented indentation method, and tribological behavior using a pin-on-disc setup. Although increased hardness is generally associated with improved resistance to wear, the material that exhibited the lowest wear in the pin-on-disc tests was characterized by the lowest hardness among all investigated materials. The findings suggest that other aspects, including wear mechanisms, wear products, and tribolayer development, may also exert a substantial influence.