A component for a bearing including a substrate having opposite major surfaces spaced apart by a thickness of the substrate, and a plurality of channels extending along the first surface, at least two of the plurality of channels extending in parallel with each other, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels is adapted to receive and secure a polymeric material to the substrate. A method of forming a bearing including providing a substrate having a opposite major surfaces spaced apart by a thickness, forming channels in the substrate, the channels each having a depth extending from the first major surface toward the second major surface, applying a polymeric material to at least a portion of the first major surface, wherein a portion of the polymeric material occupies at least a portion of at least one of the channels, and curing the polymeric material.