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Sliding elements made from biodegradable plastic – friction and wear of poly(lactic acid) compared to polyamide 6 Cover

Sliding elements made from biodegradable plastic – friction and wear of poly(lactic acid) compared to polyamide 6

By: Maciej Kujawa  
Open Access
|Nov 2025

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Dimensions of test specimens: (a) The pin-on-disc test and (b) the abrasion resistance test.
Dimensions of test specimens: (a) The pin-on-disc test and (b) the abrasion resistance test.

Figure 2

The abrasive wear resistance test apparatus: (a) Scheme: 1 – steel disc, 2 – rubber rim, 3 – sample, 4 – nozzle with electrocorundum, 5 – lever, and 6 – weights; and (b) photo of rubber rim and sample.
The abrasive wear resistance test apparatus: (a) Scheme: 1 – steel disc, 2 – rubber rim, 3 – sample, 4 – nozzle with electrocorundum, 5 – lever, and 6 – weights; and (b) photo of rubber rim and sample.

Figure 3

The results obtained for a PLA specimen at 1 m/s and varying pressure: (a) wear and (b) coefficient of friction.
The results obtained for a PLA specimen at 1 m/s and varying pressure: (a) wear and (b) coefficient of friction.

Figure 4

PLA specimen after interaction with a steel disc at parameters: (a) v = 1 m/s and p = 0.05 MPa, visible scattered loose wear products; (b) v = 1 m/s and p = 0.1 MPa, visible “braid, plume” behind the specimen, and “shreds” of plastic on the disc; and (c) v = 1 m/s and p = 0.4 MPa, specimen deformed from temperature.
PLA specimen after interaction with a steel disc at parameters: (a) v = 1 m/s and p = 0.05 MPa, visible scattered loose wear products; (b) v = 1 m/s and p = 0.1 MPa, visible “braid, plume” behind the specimen, and “shreds” of plastic on the disc; and (c) v = 1 m/s and p = 0.4 MPa, specimen deformed from temperature.

Figure 5

The results and effects of the interaction of PA6 with a steel disc at a velocity of 1 m/s and varying pressure: (a) wear; (b) coefficient of friction; and (c) appearance of the specimen after interaction with pressure p = 1.0 MPa, a small “braid, plume” behind the specimen was visible.
The results and effects of the interaction of PA6 with a steel disc at a velocity of 1 m/s and varying pressure: (a) wear; (b) coefficient of friction; and (c) appearance of the specimen after interaction with pressure p = 1.0 MPa, a small “braid, plume” behind the specimen was visible.

Figure 6

The PLA specimen and steel disc after cooperation with parameters: (a) v = 0.5 m/s and p = 0.7 MPa. Visible “braid, plume” of wear products behind the specimen, as well as “smears” of plastic on the disc and scattered, free wear products and (b) v = 0.33 m/s and p = 3.0 MPa, specimen deformed due to excessive temperature.
The PLA specimen and steel disc after cooperation with parameters: (a) v = 0.5 m/s and p = 0.7 MPa. Visible “braid, plume” of wear products behind the specimen, as well as “smears” of plastic on the disc and scattered, free wear products and (b) v = 0.33 m/s and p = 3.0 MPa, specimen deformed due to excessive temperature.

Figure 7

The results of friction coefficient measurements for PLA and PA6.
The results of friction coefficient measurements for PLA and PA6.

Figure 8

Static friction coefficient values for PA6.
Static friction coefficient values for PA6.

Figure 9

Static friction coefficient for PLA.
Static friction coefficient for PLA.

Figure 10

Hardness of PLA and PA6 before and after pin-on-disc test.
Hardness of PLA and PA6 before and after pin-on-disc test.

Figure 11

Volume loss obtained during the abrasion resistance testing.
Volume loss obtained during the abrasion resistance testing.

Figure 12

Wear scar at 1,000× magnification: (a) electrocorundum grains pressed into the PLA surface (selected clusters of grains are marked with circles); (b) scratches on the PLA surface (marked with arrows); (c) electrocorundum grains pressed into the PA6 surface (marked with circles) and “shreds” (marked with arrows); and (d) “creases, indentations, waves” on the PA6 surface (marked with arrows).
Wear scar at 1,000× magnification: (a) electrocorundum grains pressed into the PLA surface (selected clusters of grains are marked with circles); (b) scratches on the PLA surface (marked with arrows); (c) electrocorundum grains pressed into the PA6 surface (marked with circles) and “shreds” (marked with arrows); and (d) “creases, indentations, waves” on the PA6 surface (marked with arrows).

Key parameters of the filaments used to print the samples Source: data sheets from the manufacturer of materials (Flexiwire) [29,30,31,32]_

PLAPA6
Tensile yield strength60 MPa78 MPa
Modulus of elasticity3.5 GPa3.4 GPa
Tensile elongation6.0%4.4%
Heat deflection temperature55°C90°C
Coefficient of thermal expansion41 × 10−6 m mK \frac{{\rm{m}}}{{\rm{mK}}} 50 × 10−6 m mK \frac{{\rm{m}}}{{\rm{mK}}}

Detailed parameters of the test apparatus and abrasion resistance measurement_

The counter-sampleRubber lined wheel ø50 × 15 mm (hardness 78 ÷ 85ͦ ShA)
Counter-sample rotational speed60 rpm
Number of counter-sample rotations600
Pressure force of the sample against the counter-sample44 N
Sample dimensions30 mm × 30 mm × 2 mm
AbrasiveElectrocorundum No. 90 (PN-76/M-59115)

Results of friction and wear coefficient measurements for PLA and PA6_

No. p (MPa) v (m/s) µ (PLA) µ (PA6)Wear PLA (µm/km)Wear PA6 (µm/km)
10.050.600.71 ± 0.030.78 ± 0.0522 ± 7≤1
20.060.320.64 ± 0.030.66 ± 0.0115 ± 5≤1
30.060.880.63 ± 0.080.87 ± 0.0110 ± 2≤1
40.080.200.71 ± 0.060.86 ± 0.208 ± 2≤1
50.080.600.76 ± 0.050.91 ± 0.1329 ± 6≤1
60.081.000.64 ± 0.071.10 ± 0.1012 ± 4≤1
70.090.320.62 ± 0.040.83 ± 0.0820 ± 3≤1
80.090.880.68 ± 0.020.94 ± 0.1018 ± 3≤1
90.100.600.63 ± 0.070.91 ± 0.0730 ± 3≤1

List of key parameters set during sample printing_

PLAPA
Nozzle temperature220°C260°C
Bed temperature30°C90°C
Nozzle diameter0.6 mm
Layer height0.5 mm
Infill density100% (full)
The orientation of the filling path in relation to the edge of the sample45°
Mutual orientation of the filling path of adjacent layers90°
The number of tracks arranged on the perimeter (contour)3
Contour – filling gap0 mm (no gap)

Values of p and v parameters obtained using a rotational test plan_

No. p (MPa) v (m/s)
10.050.60
20.060.32
30.060.88
40.080.20
50.080.60
60.081.00
70.090.32
80.090.88
90.100.60

Comparison of wear and friction coefficient of PLA and other plastics used in sliding components Source of data for materials other than PLA: [33]_

No.MaterialWear (µm/km)No.Material µ
1PBT21PTFE0.10
2Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)32PET0.20
3Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)283PBT0.23
4PLA1954PEEK0.40
5PTFE1,6005PLA0.54
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/msp-2025-0039 | Journal eISSN: 2083-134X | Journal ISSN: 2083-1331
Language: English
Page range: 1 - 16
Submitted on: Sep 2, 2025
Accepted on: Nov 19, 2025
Published on: Nov 28, 2025
Published by: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2025 Maciej Kujawa, published by Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.