Experimental Research of Abnormal Wear for Water-Lubricated Polymer Bearings under Low Speed, Heavy Pressure, and High Water Temperature

Polymer bearings used in a real ship had a hydrolysis failure under 50 rpm at 0.5 MPa with 40 °C water temperature. The test conditions were determined based on the operating conditions of the real ship. The test equipment was rebuilt to accommodate bearing sizes in a real ship. Water swelling was eliminated after 6 months’ soaking. The results showed that the polymer bearing was subjected to hydrolysis because of the increased heat generation and heat dissipation deterioration under low speed, heavy pressure, and high water temperature. The wear depth in the hydrolysis area is 10 times larger than that in normal wear area, and the melting, stripping, transferring, adhering, and accumulation of hydrolyzed polymers caused abnormal wear. Additionally, extensive cracking was observed in the hydrolysis area of the polymer bearing.