Experimental investigation of porous bearings under different lubricant and lubricating conditions

The performance of porous bearing under different lubricants and lubricating conditions was experimentally investigated in this study. In order to carry out the experiments, a new test rig was designed to determine the tribological properties of based sintered bronze journal bearings that were manufactured by powder metallurgy (P/M) techniques. To determine the effects of lubricating conditions with and without oil supplement (OS) on the tribological characteristics of these bearings under static loading and periodic loadings, some experiments were carried out using different lubricants. In the tests, pure base oil (SAE 20W50), two fully formulated commercial engine oils (SAE20W50) and lubricating oils with commercial additive concentration ratio of3% were used. The worn surfaces of test bearings were examined using optical microscopy. Experimental results showed that the change in friction coefficient was more stable and in smaller magnitude under static loading than that of periodic loading. In addition, the friction coefficient and the wear rate conducted with base oil resulted in higher values than those of fully formulated oils with and without OS lubricating conditions. The experimental results obtained in this study indicated that the correct selection of lubricant and suitable running conditions were very important on the tribological characteristics of porous bearings.     

Tests on sintered bearings with reduced oil contents

Sintered bearings which are porous in structure contain oil in the pores. However, with time the oil content of the bearing decreases as a result of leakage, evaporation etc. In order to determine the frictional characteristics of such oil-starved bearings, sintered bearings in which the oil contents were progressively decreased were prepared and tested. From the experiments it is shown that there is no substantial increase in the coefficient of friction as up to about 50% of the oil content is lost. When the amount of oil in the bearing is reduced further there is an increase in the coefficient of friction. Temperature measurements on the bearings also confirmed the above behaviour. To determine whether a bearing that has lost more than 50% of its oil content can be recharged by adding few drops to the surface of the bearing, oil was added to a bearing which was working at 42% of the initial oil content. As a result of this the oil content increased to 62% and the coefficient of friction decreased to the corresponding value. Thus it was found that it is possible to recharge an oil-starved sintered bearing by adding a few drops of oil to the bearing surface, wherever it is accessible, and thereby increasing the life of the bearing.     

A study of the lubricating effectiveness of micropolar fluids in a dynamically loaded journal bearing (T1516)

The lubricating effectiveness of micropolar fluids in a dynamically loaded journal bearing is studied. On the basis of the theory of micropolar fluids, the modified Reynolds equation for dynamic loads is derived. Results from the numerical analysis indicated that the effects of micropolar fluids on the performance of a dynamically loaded journal bearing depend on the size of material characteristic length and the coupling number. It is shown, compared with Newtonian lubricants, that under a dynamic loading the micropolar lubricants produce an obvious increase in the oil film pressure and oil film thickness, but a decrease in the side leakage flow. It is also shown that the friction coefficient for a dynamically loaded journal bearing with micropolar fluids is in general higher than that of Newtonian fluids, which is not the same as the results for a steadily loaded journal bearing. Furthermore, a parametric study of flow and friction for different mass parameters keeping micropolar parameters fixed is undertaken. It is indicated that, with the increase of the mass parameters, the crank angles corresponding to the maximum flow are changed and the maximum friction coefficients are obviously decreased either for the Newtonian fluids or for the micropolar fluids.     

Comparison of tribological characteristics between aluminum alloys and polytetrafluoroethylene composites journal bearings under mineral oil lubrication

This study examined the tribological behavior of journal bearings made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites and aluminum (Al) alloys. The PTFE composite journal bearings consisted of a steel backing with a thickness of 1.6 mm, a middle layer of sintered porous bronze with a thickness of 0.24～0.27 mm, and a surface layer of PTFE filled with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) powder and carbon fibers with a thickness 0.06～0.14 mm. The other was an aluminum alloy journal bearing consisted of a steel backing with a thickness of 1.5 mm and a surface layer of an Al-6Sn-6Si alloy with a thickness 0.35～0.75 mm. A series of lubrication tests were performed using a journal bearing tester under various normal loads. The tribological properties for each journal bearing were evaluated by measuring the lubricant oil temperature and friction coefficient as a function of the applied normal load. In addition, the chemical compositions and microstructures of the journal bearing materials used in this study was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The experimental results showed that the Al alloy journal bearings reduce the friction coefficient by 28 % compared to the PTFE composites bearings. In addition, the Al alloy journal bearing worked properly at the maximum load of ～ 8,000 N without adhesion. However, the PTFE composite journal bearings exhibited strong adhesion at the loads ranging from 6300 to 8000 N. This suggests that the Al alloy is a more promising material in journal bearings than PTFE composites.     

基于FLUENT的径向滑动轴承紊流润滑特性研究*

为研究计入黏温效应的径向滑动轴承紊流润滑特性,以某汽轮发电机径向滑动轴承为研究对象,基于FLUENT两相流模型建立计入黏温效应的高速、大功率、重载滑动轴承紊流润滑状态下的仿真分析模型;采用Creo软件建立三维油膜模型并导入ICEM软件划分结构化网格,通过编写的黏温方程UDF程序来定义润滑油黏度属性;基于建立的FULENT模型研究定黏度与变黏度条件下偏心率和雷诺数对轴承紊流润滑特性的影响,并将仿真结果与广泛应用的Ng-Pan紊流润滑理论结果进行对比,验证仿真结果的正确性。研究结果表明：考虑黏温效应后,轴承最大油膜压力、最大油膜温度显著降低,承载力、摩擦力有所减小,而摩擦因数、端泄流量有所增加。     

Influence of lubricants on plain bearing performance: Evaluation of bearing performance with polymer-containing oils

The improvement of fuel efficiency has been required even for automotive engine oil. Polymers are wideldy to reduce the friction in hydrodynamic lubrication in engines. On the other hand, the regulation of Pb in bearing materials has begun with the goal of preventing heavy metal pollution. In order to analyze the effect of polymers with different kinds of bearing materials, the authors evaluated bearing performance using two kinds of bearings with a base oil and polymer-containing oils. It was found that the friction coefficients with a bronze bearing were significantly reduced using polymer-containing oils.     

固体润滑涂层在干摩擦及有油条件下的摩擦磨损性能

采用MRH-3环块磨损试验机对FM-510二硫化钼润滑涂层在于摩擦及有油条件下进行了摩擦磨损性能的考察和评价,评价结果表明：该涂层在干摩擦条件下具有低的摩擦系数、高的承载能力和长的耐磨寿命,摩擦系数随负荷增高而降低,随速度提高也降低。摩擦偶对双面涂膜比单面涂膜有更长的耐磨寿命,速度低时涂层的磨耗小,寿命长,可满足特定条件下的干摩擦工作要求,在有油润滑条件下二硫化钼基的FM-510润滑涂层可显减轻对偶磨损程度,摩擦系数比单独使用油润滑时大大降低。在难以形成连续的流体润滑薄膜,亦即不能形成流体动力润滑的情况下。摩擦偶对涂敷固体润滑涂层是解决其润滑问题的有效方案。     

Investigation of sintered bronze bearings under high-speed conditions

An experimental study has been made of sintered bronze bearings under high speed and light load conditions. The temperature rise, friction coefficient, oil loss rate and wear of the bearings were all measured during the tests at a speed of 69 000 r/min with or without oil supplement and under different loads. Contrary to the theory, the results showed that sintered bronze bearings could operate under hydrodynamic conditions for long periods (more than 4000 hours). The effects of different oils on the performance of the bearings were studied for speeds in the range 5000–50 000 r/min and with a load of 2.34 kgf/cm². The results indicated that the correct selection of oil for porous bearings is very important.     

UHMWPE复合材料水润滑轴承润滑状态转变性能研究

水润滑轴承润滑介质的黏度较低,轴承动压润滑难以形成。研究水润滑轴承润滑状态转变特性,可为水润滑复合材料轴承的设计和优化提供依据。建立水润滑轴承流固耦合计算模型,研究轴承承载力、水膜压力、轴承变形量随工况的变化关系,提出水膜厚度测试方法,研究轴承摩擦因数、水膜厚度随转速、负载的变化规律。研究结果表明:随偏心率和转速增大,轴承承载力、最大水膜压力和最大变形量均逐渐增大;随转速增大,轴承承载力、最大水膜压力和最大变形量的增幅逐渐减小。试验发现随着负载增大,改性UHMWPE轴承从混合润滑向动压润滑转变的膜厚比逐渐减小。     

复合材料水润滑艉轴承结构设计研究

基于ANSYS CFX流固耦合数值计算方法,对水润滑复合材料艉轴承的润滑性能及结构设计开展研究,阐述了不同水槽结构、间隙比、长径比、直径等对轴承承载力以及水膜压力、轴承变形量、最小水膜厚度、轴承摩擦因数的影响规律。并利用水润滑轴承试验台研究了不同水槽结构对轴承启动摩擦转矩、转变速度以及摩擦因数的影响。研究表明,轴承摩擦因数、水膜最大压强、轴承最大变形随水槽数增多而增大;轴承承载力、最小水膜厚度随间隙比增大而减小,随长径比增大而增大。总结了直径为100~500 mm、长径比为2~3、间隙比为0.1%~0.2%的水润滑艉轴承承载力的变化规律,为水润滑艉轴承设计提供一定的理论依据。     

Effects of sunflower oil added to base oil on the friction coefficient of statically loaded journal bearings

In this study, sunflower oil at different concentrations of between 1 and 50% was added to base oil to obtain lubricating oil candidates. The lubricating oil candidates were characterised by ASTM methods, and their effects on the friction coefficient at 25 and 100°C at different speeds and loads in a statically loaded journal bearing were determined. The technological characteristics of the sunflower oil were determined according to standard methods. The study shows clear evidence that the modification of friction by sunflower oil is at least equivalent to that by mineral oil, and the lubricationg oil candidates containing sunflower oil show a reduction in the coefficient of friction.     

Numerical analysis on nanoparticles-laden gas film thrust bearing

Nanoparticles can be taken as additives and added into various fluids to improve their lubricating performances. At present, researches in this area are mainly concentrated on the improvement effects of nanoparticles on the lubricating performances of liquid such as oil and water. Nanoparticles will also affect gas lubrication, but few related studies have been reported. Nanoparticles-laden gas film (NLGF) is formed when adding nanoparticles into gas bearing. Then, the lubricating performances of gas bearing including pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity will change. The variations of pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity in nanoparticles-laden gas film thrust bearing are investigated by numerical method. Taking account of the compressibility of gas and the interactions between gas and nanoparticles, a computational fluid dynamics model based on Navier-Stokes equations is applied to simulate the NLGF flow. The effects of inlet nanoparticles volume fraction and orifice radius on film pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity of the NLGF are calculated. The numerical calculation results show that both of the film land pressure and the maximum film pressure both increase when the nanoparticles are added into gas bearing, and the film pressures increase with the rising of the inlet nanoparticles volume fraction. The nanoparticles have an enhancement effect on load-carrying capacity of the studied bearing, and the enhancement effect becomes greater as the film thickness decrease. Therefore, nanoparticles can effectively improve the lubricating performance of gas bearing. The proposed research provides a theoretical basis for the design of new-type nanoparticles-laden gas film bearings.     

Coefficient of friction and oil flow in plain finite partial journal bearings during turbulent operation

Bearings which have been properly designed with respect to the provision of a hydrodynamic oil film can sometimes fail by overheating. Hence the complete analysis of journal bearings requires the evaluation of friction and oil flow. Plain partial journal bearings of finite length with a turbulent hydrodynamic film of a newtonian lubricant were analysed to obtain the coefficient of friction and the total oil flow. The coefficient of friction, which is a performance characteristic, is presented analytically in the closed form. The total oil flow through superlaminar bearings is also considered as a bearing performance characteristic. All the results of interest are dimensionless and available in a closed form which is simple yet exact over the wide range of parameters involved.     

基于动态子结构的主轴承热弹性流体润滑研究

研究基于动态子结构缩聚的轴承热弹性流体动力学(TEHD)基本理论和求解方法;建立某V型8缸内燃机主轴承的TEHD仿真模型,分别计算得到各主轴承在最大载荷工况下的油膜压力、油膜厚度、摩擦功耗、轴心轨迹和油膜温度等润滑特性;针对润滑状况较差的第3主轴承,进行TEHD、EHD(弹性流体动力学)和HD(流体动力学)不同仿真求解方法的对比研究。研究结果表明,该内燃机的第3主轴承最小油膜厚度和最大油膜压力等润滑性能最差,需要进行相应的改进设计;TEHD求解中计及了润滑油和轴瓦热效应的影响,能获得更高的轴承润滑特性计算精度。     

Friction coefficient and oil flow in plain finite partial journal bearings during turbulent operation

Plain partial journal bearings of finite length with a turbulent hydrodynamic film of a newtonian lubricant were analysed to determine the friction coefficient and the total oil flow. The coefficient of friction, which is a performance characteristic, is presented analytically in the closed form. The total oil flow through superlaminar bearings is also treated as a bearing performance characteristic. The results of interest, which are dimensionless and available in the closed form, are simple yet exact over a wide range of the parameters involved.     

热流固耦合下柱塞泵配流副参数对摩擦性能的影响

为探讨热流固耦合下柱塞泵配流副参数对摩擦性能的影响,建立配流副的润滑模型,采用有限差分法对雷诺方程、能量方程和弹性变形方程进行求解,考虑黏度-温度、黏度-压力的关系,利用松弛迭代法求得热流固耦合下油膜压力、弹性变形与油膜温度分布的数值解,并运用MATLAB得到油膜压力、弹性变形、油膜温度分布云图;分析配流副参数对油膜承载力、摩擦力、摩擦转矩和摩擦因数的影响。结果表明：缸体倾斜角度和初始油膜厚度对油膜承载力的影响较大,增大缸体倾斜角度和减小初始油膜厚度,可提高油膜承载能力;减小润滑油黏度、增大初始油膜厚度能有效降低润滑摩擦过程中的摩擦力和摩擦因数。     

Aeration effects on the performance of a turbocharger journal bearing

Turbocharger bearings have to work under high temperature, and are moreover rotated at high speed. They have to be designed by overcoming the high temperature. The type of oil inlet port, the inlet oil temperature and the sort of engine oil should be designed, controlled and selected carefully in order to reduce the bearing's inner temperature. In this study, the influence of aerated oil on a high-speed journal bearing is also examined by using the classical thermohydrodynamic lubrication theory coupled with analytical models for viscosity and density of an air–oil mixture in a fluid-film bearing. Convection to the walls and mixing with supply oil and re-circulating oil are considered. The considered parameters for the study of bubbly lubrication are the oil inlet port's type, oil aeration level and shaft speed. It is found that the type of oil inlet ports and shaft speed play important roles in determining the temperature and pressure distribution, and the friction in a journal bearing at high-speed operation. Also, the results show that, under extremely high shaft speed, the high shear effects on aerated oil and the high-temperature effects cancel out each other. So, the bearing load and friction show almost no difference between aerated oil and pure oil.     

Experimental studies of pressure distributions in finite slider bearing with single continuous surface profiles on the pads

There are indications in the literature that surface profiling/texturing can have significant and positive influence on the load carrying capacity of hydrodynamic pad thrust bearings. Moreover, due to cost and resource conservation considerations, lubricating oils are being used for much longer period of service than in the past. This causes lubricant to be subjected to higher levels of contamination in spite of good filtrations. In turn, hydrodynamic bearings generally operate in the presence of tiny contaminant particulate. Thus, performance study of hydrodynamic thrust bearing with pads’ surface profiling and contaminated oil are vital. Presently, one finds dearth of experimental research in this area. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to compare the experimental results of pressure distributions in slider bearing with various single continuous surface profiles of pads (cycloidal, catenoidal, polynomial, and plane) using clean and contaminated lubricating oils. Pressure results presented in this paper can provide a platform for validation of theoretical models based on contamination in lubricating oil.     

循环冲击载荷作用下滚滑轴承滚子的润滑特性研究

为探究冲击载荷对滚滑轴承润滑性能的影响,设计一种轮子扁疤系统,以模拟轴承受到的循环冲击载荷,利用数值分析法对比研究冲击载荷作用下滚滑轴承的润滑特性及不同工况对滚滑轴承滚子润滑的影响。结果表明:滚滑轴承的滚子润滑受冲击载荷的影响小于滚动轴承;冲击载荷发生前,滚滑轴承滚子油膜有高于油膜中心压力的第二峰值压力,油膜出口区有明显缩颈现象,随冲击载荷的增大,第二峰值压力虽会逐渐减小,但不会消失;冲击载荷频率越大,最小油膜厚度越大,冲击载荷幅值越大,滚子油膜厚度越薄;滚子油膜厚度随润滑油黏度、转速的增加而增加。     

水润滑橡胶轴承摩擦磨损性能的研究

以丁腈橡胶（ＮＢＲ） 为基体,制备水滑润橡胶轴承;研究填料、载荷、转速、润滑介质、ＮＢＲ品种等因素 对橡胶轴承在水润滑介质中的摩擦磨损性能的影响,并分析其摩擦和磨损机制。结果表明,炭黑量和二硫化钼添加量明 显影响橡胶轴承的摩擦因数和磨损量;随着载荷的增大,橡胶轴承的摩擦因数和磨损量均呈现先增大后减小再明显增大 的趋势;随着转速的增大,橡胶轴承的摩擦因数和磨损量均明显减小,并且在海水中的摩擦因数和磨损量均大于在淡水 中的摩擦因数和磨损量。