Polymer Bushing Mechanisms of Wear
Bushings have two mechanisms of wear: adhesion and abrasive. Adhesion, as discussed in a previous post, occurs when two surfaces come into direct contact and the atoms from one surface adhere to the other surface. Abrasion occurs when a harder surface contacts a softer surface and removes material from the softer surface. For polymer bushings, the primary mode of wear is adhesion. The key to understanding wear by adhesion is a proper understanding of how polymers respond to friction.
Here are some other articles relating to polymer bushings and bearings from Advanced EMC Technologies: