Experimental Study of Wear Behavior Under Friction for Fused Filament Fabrication Components

The wear behavior of 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) components produced by fused filament fabrication and used as friction elements in aqueous environments was investigated. Despite the growing use of additively manufactured polymers in wet systems, their wear mechanisms under such conditions remain insufficiently understood. Tests were performed under a 29 N load and 30 rpm to simulate low-speed, moderately loaded applications. PolyTerra™ PLA parallelepiped and ring specimens were analyzed through gravimetric wear testing using a Baroid lubricity tester for 135 min. During the first 105 min, both geometries showed similar mass losses, with differences below 10%. In the final stage, the parallelepiped specimen exhibited accelerated wear, while the ring specimen gained mass due to material transfer. The electrical conductivity of the medium increased significantly, from 4.6 to 1846 µS/cm, and pH rose from 7.01 to 8.04. The recovered residue matched total mass loss, and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of PLA structures, indicating mechanical wear as the dominant process. This study provides experimental insight into the tribological behavior of 3D-printed PLA in water-lubricated conditions. By combining mass loss evaluation and medium property analysis, it improves understanding of wear mechanisms and supports the reliable design of PLA components for aqueous applications.