Tribological properties of soft/hard hybrid surface of Babbitt alloy/steel. Issue 3 (29th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ni, Yuquan; Dong, Guangneng; Liu, Qi; Wang, Wei; Li, Yihong
• Is Part Of: Industrial lubrication and tribology. Volume 72:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 447
• Publication Date: 2019-10-29
• Subjects: Anti-wear -- Hybrid metal matrix composite -- Steel -- Wear resistance -- Soft/hard hybrid surface -- Babbitt bush; Lubrication and lubricants -- Periodicals; Tribology -- Periodicals; 621.89
• DOI: 10.1108/ILT-07-2019-0262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0036-8792

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Babbitt bush is easy to cause severe adhesive wear due to unexpected journal fall. This paper aims to improve wear resistance of Babbitt bush. Design/methodology/approach: A soft/hard hybrid surface mircoprofile of Babbitt alloy/steel was fabricated by a technology of laser texture combined with hot-pressing. The friction and wear performances of bare steel (steel-h), Babbitt bush on steel (steel- s ) and Babbitt filled in dimples of steel (steel-hs) were conducted on a ball-on-disc tester under dry and lubricated conditions. Findings: The results showed that wettability of steel-hs was enhanced by forming soft/hard hybrid surface. Compared with steel- s, the stability of friction coefficient curve of steel-hs was improved without increasing coefficient friction. The wear resistance of steel-hs was remarkably enhanced under dry and lubricated conditions. Originality/value: The originality of this paper is as following: to improve the tribological properties and to prolong service life of steel- s, soft/hard hybrid surface of Babbitt filled in dimples of steel substrate was successfully fabricated by laser texturing combined with hot-pressing. This paper showed that the lipophilicity of steel-hs was best among those of steel- s and steel-h. Babbitt alloy as a soft filler on dimples of steel substrate improved anti-wear of steel- s remarkably. It provides a new way to fabricate Babbitt as bushing on steel substrate.