Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction

Abstract In hydrodynamic bearings traditional bearing alloys: Babbitts and bronzes are most frequently utilized. Polymer sliding layers are sometimes applied as a valuable alternative. Hard diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, which are also considered for certain applications may show some advantage...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michał Wasilczuk, Michał Wodtke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tsinghua University Press 2024-01-01
Series:Friction
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0838-3
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849697095865335808
author Michał Wasilczuk
Michał Wodtke
author_facet Michał Wasilczuk
Michał Wodtke
author_sort Michał Wasilczuk
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In hydrodynamic bearings traditional bearing alloys: Babbitts and bronzes are most frequently utilized. Polymer sliding layers are sometimes applied as a valuable alternative. Hard diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, which are also considered for certain applications may show some advantages, as well. Although material selection is of secondary importance in a full film lubrication regime it becomes important in mixed friction conditions, which is crucial for bearings with frequent starts and stops. Experimental research aimed at studying the performance of fluid film bearings in the specific operating regime, including the transition to mixed friction, is described in the paper. The tests were carried out on four tilting pad bearings of different material compositions: Steel/bronze, DLC/steel, steel/polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and steel/Babbitt. The tests comprised stopping under load and reproduction of the Stribeck curve by decreasing rotational speed to very low values, and observing the changes of friction force during the transition to mixed friction regime. Analysis of the transition conditions and other results showed clear differences between the tested bearings, illustrating the feasibility of less popular material compositions for bearings operating in specific conditions. More specifically, the DLC/steel bearing was demonstrating superior performance, i.e. lower friction, transition to mixed friction occurring at higher load, and more stable performance at start-stop regime over the other tested bearings.
format Article
id doaj-art-78651bc0e5b64e10b7cdeba6fb010359
institution DOAJ
issn 2223-7690
2223-7704
language English
publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher Tsinghua University Press
record_format Article
series Friction
spelling doaj-art-78651bc0e5b64e10b7cdeba6fb0103592025-08-20T03:19:17ZengTsinghua University PressFriction2223-76902223-77042024-01-0112481282210.1007/s40544-023-0838-3Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed frictionMichał Wasilczuk0Michał Wodtke1Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology, Gdańsk University of TechnologyFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology, Gdańsk University of TechnologyAbstract In hydrodynamic bearings traditional bearing alloys: Babbitts and bronzes are most frequently utilized. Polymer sliding layers are sometimes applied as a valuable alternative. Hard diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, which are also considered for certain applications may show some advantages, as well. Although material selection is of secondary importance in a full film lubrication regime it becomes important in mixed friction conditions, which is crucial for bearings with frequent starts and stops. Experimental research aimed at studying the performance of fluid film bearings in the specific operating regime, including the transition to mixed friction, is described in the paper. The tests were carried out on four tilting pad bearings of different material compositions: Steel/bronze, DLC/steel, steel/polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and steel/Babbitt. The tests comprised stopping under load and reproduction of the Stribeck curve by decreasing rotational speed to very low values, and observing the changes of friction force during the transition to mixed friction regime. Analysis of the transition conditions and other results showed clear differences between the tested bearings, illustrating the feasibility of less popular material compositions for bearings operating in specific conditions. More specifically, the DLC/steel bearing was demonstrating superior performance, i.e. lower friction, transition to mixed friction occurring at higher load, and more stable performance at start-stop regime over the other tested bearings.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0838-3tilting pad thrust bearingexperimental researchstart-stop regimepolyether ether ketone (PEEK)diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatingmetallic bearing alloys
spellingShingle Michał Wasilczuk
Michał Wodtke
Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
Friction
tilting pad thrust bearing
experimental research
start-stop regime
polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating
metallic bearing alloys
title Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
title_full Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
title_fullStr Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
title_full_unstemmed Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
title_short Experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
title_sort experimental study on the feasibility of alternative materials for tilting pad thrust bearings operating in transition to mixed friction
topic tilting pad thrust bearing
experimental research
start-stop regime
polyether ether ketone (PEEK)
diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating
metallic bearing alloys
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0838-3
work_keys_str_mv AT michałwasilczuk experimentalstudyonthefeasibilityofalternativematerialsfortiltingpadthrustbearingsoperatingintransitiontomixedfriction
AT michałwodtke experimentalstudyonthefeasibilityofalternativematerialsfortiltingpadthrustbearingsoperatingintransitiontomixedfriction