ISO 7148-2-2012 PDF

Full title and description

Plain bearings — Testing of the tribological behaviour of bearing materials — Part 2: Testing of polymer-based bearing materials (ISO 7148-2:2012). This international standard specifies test methods and conditions for evaluating friction and wear behaviour of polymer-based plain bearing materials under defined loads, sliding velocities and temperatures, with and without lubrication, to obtain reproducible comparative data for metal–polymer and polymer–polymer material combinations.

Abstract

This part of ISO 7148 defines tribological tests for polymer-based plain bearing materials to measure friction and wear under specified, exactly defined test conditions (load, sliding velocity, temperature) in dry and boundary-lubricated states. The standard’s purpose is to produce reproducible comparative data that help assess the relative performance of material pairings in plain-bearing applications; it emphasises that test results are meaningful for practical design only when all influential parameters are controlled and reported.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (2012 edition; later revised and republished).
• Publication date: October 2012 (2012-10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 21.100.10 (Plain bearings).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2012).
• Number of pages: 25 pages (as published by ISO for the 2012 edition).

Scope

Specifies standardized tribological test procedures for polymer-based plain-bearing materials to determine friction and wear values under defined loads, sliding speeds and temperatures; covers tests in both dry (unlubricated) and boundary-lubricated conditions and is intended to generate comparative data for selection and assessment of polymer/metal and polymer/polymer combinations in plain-bearing designs. The scope stresses reproducibility and precise reporting of all test parameters so results can be meaningfully compared.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized tribological test methods for polymer-based plain bearing materials (test rigs, specimen types and contact conditions are defined or referenced).
• Defined working conditions: load, sliding velocity and temperature with stated procedures for dry and boundary-lubricated tests.
• Measurement and reporting of friction (coefficients) and wear (mass loss, thickness change or wear scar) to enable comparative performance evaluation.
• Requirements for reproducibility: control and documentation of all influential parameters to ensure test-data applicability to practical designs.
• Guidance on interpreting comparative results and limitations when test conditions differ from actual application conditions.

Typical use and users

Engineers and researchers in tribology, bearing design and materials engineering; quality and test laboratories performing comparative friction-and-wear evaluations of polymer bearing materials; manufacturers of plain bearings and components selecting polymer materials or validating material pairings for sliding applications. The standard is used to support material selection, R&D, supplier comparisons and to document test evidence for design decisions.

Related standards

Relevant related standards include ISO 7148-1 (testing of bearing metals — companion part addressing metallic materials and boundary-lubricated tests) and the ISO 4378 series (terms, definitions and classification for friction and wear of plain bearings). ISO 7148-2:2012 has subsequently been revised and republished as ISO 7148-2:2026.

Keywords

plain bearings; tribology; polymer bearing materials; friction; wear; test methods; boundary lubrication; dry sliding; material selection; ISO 7148-2.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 7148-2:2012 is the second part of the ISO 7148 series that specifies tribological test methods for polymer-based plain bearing materials to measure friction and wear under defined conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers standardized test procedures and defined working conditions (load, sliding velocity, temperature) for dry and boundary-lubricated tests, plus the measurement and reporting of friction and wear data for comparative evaluation of polymer/metal and polymer/polymer material pairings.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Tribologists, bearing designers, materials engineers, test laboratories and bearing manufacturers use it for material selection, R&D and comparative testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2012 edition is listed as withdrawn in ISO’s lifecycle for that edition; the part has been revised and a later edition (ISO 7148-2) was published in 2026. For current requirements and any changes, consult the latest ISO 7148-2 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 7148 is a multi-part series on testing the tribological behaviour of bearing materials; Part 1 addresses metallic bearing materials, Part 2 addresses polymer-based materials, and other companion documents (e.g., ISO 4378) provide related terminology and classifications.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Plain bearings, tribology, polymer bearing materials, friction, wear, test methods, boundary lubrication, dry sliding, material selection.