A mixed lubrication analysis of a flat‐land thrust bearing with a surface optimisation method. (3rd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xiaohan; Jackson, Robert L.
• Is Part Of: Lubrication science. Volume 33:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 346
• Publication Date: 2021-06-03
• Subjects: mixed lubrication analysis -- small‐scale roughness -- surface optimisation -- thrust bearing; Tribology -- Periodicals; Lubrication systems -- Research -- Periodicals; Surfaces (Technology) -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.89
• DOI: 10.1002/ls.1556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0075

Abstract

Abstract: Thrust bearings are widely used in many rotary industrial applications. In this work, a thrust bearing surface under the mixed lubrication regime is analysed and then optimised with aim for use in an injection moulded polymer bearing. A model which couples the mechanical deformation, boundary lubrication and solid contact is developed to investigate the behaviour of the thrust bearing under the load balance condition. This model provides the predictions of important quantities such as load carrying capacity from fluid and solid contact, minimum film thickness and contact pressure. More important, the large‐scale surface geometry is optimised using a quadratic geometry and this large‐scale surface is superimposed with the small‐scale roughness from measured surface to form an optimised surface. This large‐scale geometry might be controlled in the injection moulding process of polymer thrust bearings, whereas it is more difficult to control the roughness. The fluid load carrying capacity for the optimised surface has more than doubled compared to the fluid load carrying capacity for the measured surface.